What is This Gross Puffy Slime That Grew in a Kentucky Garden Overnight?

There's a fungus among us.

In a Kentucky Gardening Facebook group, Danah Caudill found something very strange overflowing from her flower bed seemingly overnight. She asked, "I was out in the yard at 9 PM last night this morning at 7 AM This grew overnight. I guess it’s some kind of fungus. Do I get rid of it or let it do its thing? This is a flower box of Morning Glories…"

Fellow gardeners came to the rescue with a wealth of information and a dash of humor.

"Goodness what in the world? Looks like invasion of the body snatchers movie kind of stuff."

"Slime mold. Most likely dog vomit. Lol. Believe it or not, it's supposedly edible, but I ain't eatin it."

To which someone replied, "I’d like to know how somebody figured out it was edible!"

What in the World is Dog Vomit Slime Mold?

First of all, what a nasty name! Second, I was totally wrong when I called it a fungus earlier. It isn't one even though that is a common misconception. Also called "scrambled egg mold", because it looks more like breakfast than dog vomit depending on what your pup's diet is, but its more closely related to an amoeba than a fungus.

Similarly though, they "feed" on decaying organic matter. Mostly mulch, rotting wood in wet, shady areas and yes, they pop up very quickly. They also can disappear just as fast.

What Should You Do If You Find Dog Vomit Slime Mold in Your Garden?

According to TheSpruce.com, this mold is actually beneficial to your garden. "Scientists have also discovered that this organism can turn heavy metals in the environment into inert substances." Because of its unsightly appearance, you may panic and think oh I need to get rid of this ASAP, but you can just let nature run it's course. If you try to scoop it up or rake it away, the spores could spread and you will have it elsewhere in your yard. Luckily, it has not been found to be harmful to animals or humans.

Typically Dog Vomit Slime Mold will disappear in two days. Danah decided to leave it alone. When she checked her flower bed at 5PM that evening, it was already turning brown. Somehow it looks even nastier!

Eventually it turned to dust and that was that. Have you ever found this gross stuff in your yard?

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