Community find

Dog Vomit Slime Mold

Fuligo septica

Group

Slime Mold (Myxomycete)

Season

Typically appears from late spring through early autumn, especially after heavy rains or periods of high humidity.

Habitat

Found on decaying wood, mulch, leaf litter, and occasionally on living grass or ornamental plants. It thrives in moist, shaded environments where organic decomposition is occurring.

Key characteristics

Commonly appears as a bright yellow, bile-colored, or white irregular mass with a crusty, porous texture. As it matures, the surface dries to a darker tan or brown. It can reach sizes of up to 20 cm in diameter and has a foamy, sponge-like internal structure containing dark spores.

Look-alikes

Mucilago crustacea (White Slime Mold), which is generally whiter and has a more distinctly beaded or crystalline texture compared to the smoother early stages of Fuligo septica.

Ecological role

It is a saprobic organism that acts as a decomposer. It moves via a plasmodial stage to feed on bacteria, spores, and other organic matter, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling within soil and mulch ecosystems.