St Augustin Fungus
Brown 2112 – posted 22 September 2005 14:03
I am in Bradenton, Florida and am suffering from what I believe is a fungus. The lawn company that does my fertilizing seems to have no clue what it is. I first notice the fungus on the trunk one of my bushes. The fungus grow rapidly and without using any treatment, died. I looked like a cluster of mushrooms that had been melted together and white, pink and yellow in color. The remains are still there but are black and shriveled. Anyway, about a month later I notice mushrooms growing in my yard and along with them was the same fungus that was on the tree but it was now in the St Austine grass. It has grown very large, about the size of a watermelon in some areas, and seems to be spreading. Even faster the more I mow which is every week in the summer. I started to dig some of it out today to find its origin, what a job! It was deep rooted in the grass, below the roots, but did not seem to kill the grass. It just covered the grass in some areas and with the grass in others. The surface texture was to same as the tree, like a melted fungus, but beneath the soil was different. It had a spongy, fleshy texture and some peices were very moist. I also notice that in the largest infected area there was a large root from a tree that had been cut down. There was some fungus growing on the exterior of the root, but not the interior, which was still healthy and alive. I cut a small roots that stemed off the main one and it was hollowed out and refilled with what looked like a mold. I am afraid that this may be a fugus that thrives on wood but I am not sure. If anyone knows anything that could help please let me know. I can dig it out but I will have to replace the grass which I fear will become reinfected. HELP!
gabe – posted 22 September 2005 14:36
I’ll take a stab.
Sounds like a ‘slime mold’. Similar to a fungus but actually in another kingdom, slime molds are not plant pathogens and are vital to the decomposition of dead and decaying organic materials.
There are tons of different slime molds, ranging in color, size, shape and fruiting structures. The one constant is they love dead plant matter. They will grow ON turf plants, but do not invade the tissue, and rarely cause any damage to turf (damage comes from a shading effect if thick enough).
My guess: Remove the dead tree stump and as many roots as possible and the slime mold will not be a concern.
Try googling ‘slime mold’ for more info and possible pictures for comparison.
Best of luck.
cohiba – posted 22 September 2005 14:38
There are literally thousands of unknown, unclassified and totally alien like fungi in the world. From your description it would appear as though the tree roots are the main source of food for the fungi. As long as the turf is not dying I would let it go and chalk it up to nature showing us a thing or two about cleaning up after itself.
Don’t sweat it.
Also, Is Johnny Leverocks still down there on the water? Best Key lime Pie I ever had. I hope to get down again next spring for spring training.
Take Care……………….
Brown 2112 – posted 22 September 2005 14:46
cohiba,Johnny Leverocks is still here yeah. On Manatee Ave right before the Causeway.
I guess it might to late to leave it alone since I have gone on an digging expetition. I was hoping not to have to dig up the root because my other grass is beautiful. Hopefully time will tell.
Brown 2112 – posted 22 September 2005 15:01
Gabe, I researched a little about slime mold and that is what it could be. However, the fugus seems to have more constistanly then the pictures is saw of the slime mold. Thank for the input. I will most defintly continue my research.
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