A yellow, spongey mass “just sprung up” in an Aussie’s planter box overnight, and despite it looking peculiar, it’s likely a good sign for the avid gardener.
The mass in the Victorian yard appears somewhat similar to a broccoli head and includes wispy undergrowths reminiscent of fungi, with some online saying it looks like a “lion’s mane” or “vomit”. However, it is none of the above — although it is often referred to as “dog’s vomit”.
“Slime moulds are not really fungi — they are gigantic, single-celled organisms with complicated life cycles,” entomologist Tanya Latty previously told Yahoo News.
Slime mould is neither plant nor animal. Instead, it sits firming in the ‘protista’ kingdom, a miscellaneous category where scientists put organisms they can’t quite put anywhere else.
“Despite lacking a brain, slime moulds are capable of solving mazes and making complex decisions.. they feed on bacteria and fungi and are generally harmless to humans,” Professor Latty added.
Slime mould indicates ‘great soil health’
The presence of slime mould in a yard can actually indicate “great soil health” as the species mainly feed on decomposing material rather than living plants — something known as saprophytic.
“I would say they are actually beneficial and a good indication of soil health,” medicinal chemist Dr Kylie Agnew-Francis previously told Yahoo News. “You want a thriving microbial community full of decomposers like these to keep the soil healthy and full of nutrients,” he said.
Slime mould often sparks concern when it appears in Aussie yards. Source: Facebook
This means gardeners will likely not require fertilisers to keep their plants healthy, and pest control insects will be attracted to the area which will further enhance the health of the yard.
It’s not the first time Aussie residents have been shocked to find slime mould in their yards, with a Gold Coast man explaining the growth was “moving” in his garden, while a Canberra resident claimed hers “seems to come back” after she removed it.
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