unidentified fungus

[pencoose]

This fungus is widespread in a well drained open area of lawn surrounded by established beech, ash and oak trees.    The soil is acidic; the topsoil thin over a shaley subsoil.     Can anyone advise on the control/eradication of this fungus please?

Best wishes to all

[Paul T]

I can't speak for others, but I can't see any fungus?  Is it the whole open area, the paler dots in the open area?  Not entirely sure of what I'm looking for, nor how big (or small) it is?  Sorry if it is clear to everyone else, but it doesn't appear visible on my computer at least?

[arisaema]

I can't make out anything from the picture either, but try googling "slime mold".

[annew]

I can't see anything either! Might it be dog lichen? See http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/lichen.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/lichen.htm&h=432&w=390&sz=68&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=hWZmTBEkjdp-1M:&tbnh=126&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddog%2Blichen%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

[Maggi Young]

All I can guess at from spotty bits on photo is dog lichen, Pencoose! Welcome to the Forum, whatever!!

[pencoose]

Sorry for the poor picture.   My earlier attempts to scale down the original were rejected on the grounds that the postings were too big.   The one that got through was obviously too small to be useful.   Apologies to all who were kind enough to reply.      Here is a close up with a 50p piece included to give an idea of scale.           Dog Lichen does seem to be a close fit don't you think?

Many thanks to you all for your help.

[Paul T]

Thanks for the updated pic.... makes a lot more sense now.  Never seen anything like it here, and by the looks of it I'm probably thankful for that.    Sort of looks slightly decayed, but might not be so bad in real life.  Quite fascinating really.  So many fungus about that we don't see or hear about very often.

[David Shaw]

I don't know what the fungus is called but I have seen it, or similar, on lawnas before. What I have seen has had hard, leathery 'leaves' and was growing on dryish grass in shadey areas - often under trees where the roots were near the surface.

[annew]

Definitely looks like dog lichen to me.

[pencoose]

Thank you everybody.   You have been most helpful.    What a splendid website this is.    I am going to settle for Dog Lichen.

Best wishes.

[Maggi Young]

You are most welcome, Pencoose.
You will need to scarify the grass, aerate it and improve drainage and feeding, in order to combat the dog lichen. Moss killers will kill it too, but the underlying cause needs to be tackled for long term improvement.

[Paddy Tobin]

You could also get rid of the dog, of course!



Pencoose, I just didn't want you to think that all members of this forum would leave you off without taking the opportunity for a laugh.


Welcome to the forum and hope you have many other photographs to post, of the many beautiful things in your garden - yes, I'm sure they are there.

Paddy