What is this fungus?
The past couple days we’ve noticed fungus growing in our front yard and I’m wondering if it’s safe we have dogs and children that I want to protect. Is there anything I should do and what causes it?
Leelanau County Michigan
1 Response
It's slime mold, scientifically called: Fuligo septica. It's gross looking but harmless. You can hose it away, bury it or leave it alone and it will disappear fairly quickly. No harm is being done to your lawn or mulch. See the following articles:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/unsightly_slime_mold_sighting_on_landscape_mulch
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/mastergardener/files/2015/12/DogVomitSlimeMold.pdf
https://extension2.missouri.edu/news/warm-wet-weather-helps-dog-vomit-slime-mold-thrive-4648
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/files/2014/11/Slime-Molds.pdf
https://burke.ces.ncsu.edu/2019/06/blame-the-weather-not-the-dog-for-unsightly-mold/
https://extension.psu.edu/what-is-growing-in-my-landscape-mulch-mushrooms-slime-molds-and-fungus
