Slime molds are commonly found in turf, ornamental, and garden plantings in the home landscape.
Slime molds are primitive organisms that feed on bacteria, other fungi and dead organic matter.
Slime molds often cause concern to homeowners because their reproductive phase is colorful and quite noticeable on plant parts. On turf, large numbers of small gray, white, or purple fruiting structures, called sporangia, form on the leaf blades during cool, humid weather throughout spring, summer, and fall. In these small patches, turfgrass foliage may be dotted with the fine specks of the slime mold, or in some cases completely covered by the fungal mass. During wet weather, the fruiting structures may appear slimy. As the structures dry out in hot weather, they become powdery, and break up easily upon touching.