Egg yolk looking fungus ? - Ask Extension
We have this growing up from a layer of new mulch that we layed earlier this year. I just discovered it today 9/21. This mulch is only about 4" thick....
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Egg yolk looking fungus ? #213544
Asked September 21, 2014, 7:02 PM EDT
We have this growing up from a layer of new mulch that we layed earlier this year. I just discovered it today 9/21. This mulch is only about 4" thick. As you may be able to see, we layed a tarp under the mulch. What is this?
Lycoming County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Delaware Cooperative Extension. You may receive a short survey after the answer to this question.
There was not a picture attached to your question, perhaps there was a problem with the upload. However, there are a number of fungi that will grow in mulch, as fungi are decomposers in our forests and ecosystems. The fungi do good work in decomposing leaf litter and wood pieces, and most of these fungi are not plant pathogens. Many times they are slime molds or stink horns. Generally harmless, they are 95% water, and may be raked lightly to break up and disperse.
My best,
Nancy
Thank you for contacting Delaware Cooperative Extension. You may receive a short survey after the answer to this question.
There was not a picture attached to your question, perhaps there was a problem with the upload. However, there are a number of fungi that will grow in mulch, as fungi are decomposers in our forests and ecosystems. The fungi do good work in decomposing leaf litter and wood pieces, and most of these fungi are not plant pathogens. Many times they are slime molds or stink horns. Generally harmless, they are 95% water, and may be raked lightly to break up and disperse.
My best,
Nancy
I want to send some pictures in response to this email. Here are 3. Let me know if they do not come through.
Bill Sober, Jr.
Bill Sober, Jr.
Hello,
Yes, your pictures show the dog vomit slime mold with the scientific name of Fuligo septica. It is harmless, but grows on the organic material in the mulch. There are conflicting reports about breaking it up by raking or watering it. Some experts say the best thing to do is scoop it up with a shovel and discard in the trash, removing spores that will spread the slime mold. Here is a web fact sheet from Ohio State:
http://bygl.osu.edu/content/dog-vomit-slime-mold-0
My colleague Tom Volk has an amusing web post on it too:
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/june99.html
My best,
Nancy
Yes, your pictures show the dog vomit slime mold with the scientific name of Fuligo septica. It is harmless, but grows on the organic material in the mulch. There are conflicting reports about breaking it up by raking or watering it. Some experts say the best thing to do is scoop it up with a shovel and discard in the trash, removing spores that will spread the slime mold. Here is a web fact sheet from Ohio State:
http://bygl.osu.edu/content/dog-vomit-slime-mold-0
My colleague Tom Volk has an amusing web post on it too:
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/june99.html
My best,
Nancy
