I've an image of a type of fungi that I'm having extreme trouble finding a name for. It's a brown hairlike sort that is growing on trees in a damp undergrowth in Kansas. I've images if someone would like to see to help identify. Thanx in advance......C.Wick
These are two images of the 'threads' I found....two different areas. One is darker then the other...and even looks 'softer' or even almost 'see thru'. Any ideas of what this is would be wonderful. Thanx C.Wick
Definately...I've looked in so many places and asked so many locations if anyone knew this stuff........and BLESS you for finding it for me! THANX...and feel free. C.Wick
I realize this is super old thread, but I was searching for what this was called, and thanks to this thread, I now know what it is, but I'm also curious how to get rid of it. It's growing on one of my jalapeno plants, and I don't want it to kill my pepper plant. Thanks for your help.
It's growing ON you're plants? Do you have photos by any chance? Usually this sp. grow on compost or dead wood? Would love to see!
Sadly, there's no real sure way to get rid of slime moulds...washing only spreads them, and picking the host only takes away YOU'RE plants. Possibly over-watering is doing the bad deed here...maybe drying the area more and removing any damp compost is in that immediate area? Replacing with a new fresh variety.
Photos though...please? I'd love to see!
wow, thanks for the quick reply! It's definitely ON the plant as well as around it. Perhaps it's a different species. I'll snap a pic tonight and post. I believe you are correct with the overwatering idea though. I'll try and let it dry out a bit.
lol...I was posting images in the Photo share area on here of slime moulds that I've just found this week when I saw you're comment.
Would be GREAT to see an image...there's a couple different species of the Stemonitis so maybe it's another variety of then what I see?
Here's 3 pics. If they don't work or are too small to see, check here or here. Sorry about the poor lighting. I think the one with flash provides the most contrast and clarity but poor color.
Ok...some info I found stated that:
'Although many slime mold species fruit on wood
they do not form a penetrating and absorptive mass of
hyphae in the wood substrate....masses of protoplasm which can move and engulf
particles of food in an amoeboid manner. Slime mold
plasmodia creep about over the surfaces of materials,
engulfing bacteria, spores of fungi and plants, protozoa, and
particles of nonliving organic matter.'
So maybe a possibilty here is that maybe dust or wood particles were on the leaves of the plants and the slime mould then attached to it to eat? I know it sounds like I'm fishing here (which I am) but this is very unique for me to see. I've been studying slimes now for over 2 years and this is definately a new site for me.
However,
If it helps? I think if u just change the multch, wash u'r plants and make sure to clean whatever u harvest from them you should be ok. They aren't eating living matter that I know of...but rather the remains of matter (the wood/dead leaves). Plus, I've never read or heard of anyone injesting or being infected, dying or other-wise from a slime mould.
Hope this helped a little? :o)
Very interesting. I guess that's very possible that there was some residual mulch on the leaves. It's been clean and growing for the last month or so. Maybe when watering it knocked some mulch on the leaves too. From what I read though, I shouldn't be worried about the mold hurting, damaging or killing the plant itself? Would it be advisable to change the mulch or will it die out/go away if it dries out? Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.
Slime moulds are truely fascinating creatures...in that sometimes they'll reappear...sometimes not? Sometimes they like the damp and sometimes they could care less.
With this particular kind, I've noticed it prefers moisture and humidity. You're compost holds that in it's depths so probably attracts things like this....and even when THIS one's life cycle is over you may still get a reaccurance? Or...maybe not. :o)
I honestly feel you should probably remove it, and replace it. Make sure to spray you're plants down in the old mulch also? So any spore left over hopefully won't be waiting for the new mulch to help it regrow.
But again...I don't think you have to worry of it damaging you're plants. This particular slime mould is truely a wood eater and sometimes mulched/dead leaf eater. (u just have the luck to have an unusual living plant hosting kind) :o)
I think you might have Stemonitis splendens; the columella looks characteristic of that one. Slime moulds grow on all kinds of substrates, because they don't get their nutrients from what they grow on; rather they consume algae and bacteria on the surface that they envelop in their travels. I have seen slime moulds on living plants many times; I've also seen them on trees, leaf litter, dead wood and soil. As long as the conditions (temperature, humidity, food supply, etc.) are to their liking, they will slowly stream along, until they perceive a change (such as a lack of food) that causes them to either fruit or change into a dormant state called a sclerotium.
They are my favourite spore-bearing organism. Although I have a soft spot for the fungi, too.
Hi! I have this stuff all over my stinging nettle plants! Please tell me, is it harmful to people? I was watering my plant and did not notice the fungus until it was too late. It sprayed up into my face! YUK!
Thanks...I'll take some pics tomorrow and post it. It is the weirdest fungus I've ever encountered!!
You grow stinging nettle and worry about Stemonitis? :o)
I'd take the slime mould any day to that plant.
The stemonitis isn't recorded as having ever done harm to anyone...either thru consumption or inhalation.
Nettles however? Make me feel wimpy and burning for a long time after bumping into. lol.........do u use it for herbal or eat or?
lol..I know they hurt when you get stung!! Take toothpaste and rub it on the area. The pain will go away real quickly. If you're out in the field and don't have quick access to toothpaste you can rub marigold, sage, rosemary, mint and the nettle as well!...just make sure you use the juice..not the leaves from the nettle. Break the stem open and put the juice on the sting. It'll fix you right up!!
Yes, I use it for medicinal purposes. I drink it in a tea and I eat the seeds as well. It provides me with unbelievable sustained energy throughout the day. I used to be a heavy coffee drinker, but I switched to nettle and never looked twice at coffee again. Plus I feel great and sleep a whole lot better.
Here is an excerpt from a book that I reference frequently..( The Little Herb Encyclopedia by Jack Ritchason, N. D. )
Nettle is an alkalinzing herb and is useful as a rich source of minerals.
Nettle functions much like a mild Cayenne by opening the vessels, thus increasing circulation and uplifting a weary body relieving fatigue and exhaustion.....
Nettle aids with diarrhea and dysentery and is good for inflammatory skin conditions.
Nettle increases the flow of urine, shrinks inflamed tissues, helps blood circulation and purifies the blood.
I can personally attest to it's effectiveness!! I love my nettle!! =)
Oh outstanding info! Thank you....
When I'm out in the woods/fields and get hit by them I grab dock or jewel weed to help. I've been told to use mud packs as well but I know what is in that mud...lol
I honestly have never seen that much interesting information about nettle.....and had even not to long ago been in an arguement with someone about it.
They'd wanted to dig out all the curly dock (invassive as heck)...and I wanted them to dig out all the nettle...they won. :o)
I'd read of people making a tea from it but most people avoid it due to the stinging barbs. I've 7 survival kind of books for edible wild plants/mushrooms....and only 1 has a reference to nettles as making a good tea to help with caffiene needs. hmmm As a strong coffee drinker maybe I should seriously look into this as we've PLENTY of nettle on hand here in Kansas. :o)
THANX!
I have another book called 101 uses for Stinging Nettle. It's pretty cool. There are some goofy things in there as well...but pretty entertaining. There is also a recipe in there for Nettle Beer! Haven't tried that yet, though.
A great reason to have nettle near your garden (I keep it in a container to control the spread) ...it attracts beneficial insects!!
Here are some it attracts:
Hover flies
lacewings
parasitic wasps
Butterflies and moths use it for food as well...so you'll get some very pretty ones aiding in pollination.
lol....if u don't love SOMETHING...u'r not alive!
I'll have to see if I can find that book. I'm always interested in finding new uses for 'common' things.
I keep dill in my garden to help with pest control.......and every time I find a mantid it gets transported. This year I found 2 egg nests that hatched with the little babies ALL OVER THE PLACE! I'm always trying out 'new' plants and herbs...found in my forests and fields here...to see how/what they do.
The nettle though I think I'll just harvest as i hike. I know of entire wooded areas that the undergrowth is ONLY nettle. Nothing else has been able to survive it's growth.
Lots of tea and cooked greens in the future I see! lol
