Identification: weird growth on lawn grass! what is it???

Discussion in 'Fungi, Lichens and Slime Molds' started by Souren, Oct 25, 2006.

  1. Souren

    Souren Member

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    I recently installed a garden for a young couple with pet rabbits, living in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Part of the job was new turf. The soil is clay over chalk. Strangely, the previous lawn, though not great, did not have anything like this (I'm hoping the photo can be uploaded).
    Further info: after a very hot & dry July, when everything went into aestivation, we've had a very warm and wet autumn, almost like a second spring. All sorts of weird things are happening, such as catkins appearing on salix (willow), etc etc.
    I'd be grateful if anyone could identify this strange growth.
    Kind regards
    Souren
     

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  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Possibly a slime mould (Mycetozoa)
     
  3. Souren

    Souren Member

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    ... possibly due to recent moist conditions? Any thoughts on what could/should be done to remedy this?
    Many thanks
     
  4. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Possibly Physarum cinereum.

    As mentioned on that page, control measures aren't necessary.
     
  5. Souren

    Souren Member

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    So, just ignore it? i.e. it will go away during winter? The other thing is, the rabbits, though unlikely to chew on affected turf, may come in contact. I realize this is not a horticultural question, but would one expect any negative effects on the pet rabbits?
    :o)
    Thank you for your reply
    Souren
     
  6. Souren

    Souren Member

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    p.s thanks for the further info - looks just like it!!!
     
  7. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Might be safest to put a temporary small fence round it to keep the rabbit off, though I'd suspect if it was poisonous, the rabbit would have enough instinctive sense not to eat it provided other food is readily available (most cases of animal poisoning occur when starving animals are forced to eat poisonous plants through having nothing else available).
     
  8. oscar

    oscar Active Member

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    rabbits arn't that smart, one ate most of my Euphorbia wulfenii....well it was nibbled and there was a dead rabbit about 5' away
     
  9. japa2222

    japa2222 Member

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    What about mowing your lawn before that Fungi produces Asci.
     
  10. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Strictly speaking, slime molds aren't fungi - but they certainly can resemble them in appearance!
     
  11. MycoRob

    MycoRob Active Member

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    Yep, Slime molds belong to the Kingdom Protista. Very few people specialize in Protista: Mycologists have stepped up to the plate and taken up some of the slack.
     
  12. M. D. Vaden

    M. D. Vaden Active Member 10 Years

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    Good photo.

    Although the differences are very significant, the photo reminds me of beauty berry.
     
  13. japa2222

    japa2222 Member

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    It will still produce spores either way.
     

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