what is it?

[sharpguitarist]

i live in east tn. and although i'm no woodsman, i am kinda familiar with the plants and foliage around these parts.
today, i was walking to my mailbox, and stumbled upon this. while walking through the grass and gravel, i noticed something "slippery" under my feet. what i found was this gelatin like stuff growing near an old pile of lumber that is stacked at the edge of the yard. i've never encountered anything like this and was just curious as to what it is.
like i said, it's gelatinous with no kind of fibrous texture to it. it has no perceivable smell, is very delicate and tears very easily. green in color, it makes me think of seaweed. it's clumped together on the ground, but "unfolds" into thin layers.
we've had some rain in the last few days, with high humidity and 80 to 90 degree temps.
i've walked over this ground for years and never before seen this.
anyone have any idea what this might be?





figured someone here might be able to identify this mystery stuff.
thanks a bushel!
don

[ChrisR]

I have seen similar stuff here and I think it's an alga - basically a land-based "seaweed" but I don't have a name for it :)

[yablanowitz]

I'd guess it is probably a species of slime mold.

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/slime1.htm

[redyps04]

My guess is some kind of algea.

[psimonl]

Run..... It's going to eat you alive!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:


:D

Simon

[Creepo]

Out of the 2 quesses so far, I'd say algae, it's símply so green it has to have some chlorophyll in it, mold/fungus's don't have any.

[Domanfp]

what does it taste like?

[lerman]

we have the exect same ones here in israel, always in high humidity areas,
it looks like seaweed and feels like it's made of 95% water,

[Slick]

Give your county extension agent a call or bring in a sample. You might be surprised how familiar your county agricalture agent is familiar with what grows in in his area.

Beware, this could be some invasive alien species but I'd guess it some local plant.

Where I live there are many strange plants and I rarely stump my local AG agent. If I do ask a very difficult question they bump it up the line and it gets answered by somebody.

[npueppke]

It could be a fungus too, I don't know.

[ChrisR]

It's definitely got chlorophyll so it won't be a slime mould or any other stand-alone fungus ... it could be an unusual species of lichen (a fungus + alga) but I don't know if they have soft varieties. My bet is still on an alga because it looks just like a seaweed. I have emailed a friend of mine who is a bit of an expert on stuff like this so I'll let you know what he says. :)

[Bushbadger]

Could be the Swamp Things poop...

[oregon]

I would gather some onto the opposite end of a stick. Carefully take it to the nearest doctor as they are often the local resident with the most scientific training. Leave it there and call back later for the results. Note: This may not be covered by your medical insurance.

[oregon]

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.u ... nalgae.htm

OK, all right, its Sunday so the local doctor's office might just be closed so if it is not open then scratch the last suggestion and click on the link just above.

[sharpguitarist]

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.u ... nalgae.htm

OK, all right, its Sunday so the local doctor's office might just be closed so if it is not open then scratch the last suggestion and click on the link just above.

thanks to everyone who replied!
oregon, you nailed it!
most of it has dried up now, but it has been in the 90's every day here.
i had just never seen anything like it before.
again, thanks everyone!
later,
don

[Dr. Snubnose]

Looks like a species of Wakame...Doc :D

[oregon]

Edible seaweed... How does it taste?

[ozspyder]

The Incredible Hulk had too much to eat and had to take a rest stop :p LOL

Had some around my area once and it was odd, but Oregon got it. I slipped on it and nearly broke my neck :D

[Dr. Snubnose]

Edible seaweed... How does it taste?

I says looks like it :eek: !....I wouldn't be tasting it cause I'm not that sure! :p ...You want to know the taste buy some in the organic food market or heath food store....that be the slimey stuff they put in your Miso soup at Japanese Resturants....Doc :D

[ChrisR]

Yeah, I wouldn't eat the stuff ... Nostoc might be related to the seaweeds but I think there are plenty of algae that when eaten can give you a very bad stomach upset.