Weird foamy pile (vomit?) in my garden

Athens, OH(Zone 6a)

I found a weird pile of foam, looks like it may be a vomit? This is the 2nd pile to show up in my yard in a week, the first is mostly gone (blending in with mulch at this point). Does anyone know what this might be? This second round is on top of my coral bells! So I want to know if it's vomit, should I wash it off, etc. I haven't used any animal deterrents besides sluggo for my hostas, but I haven't put any of that down in weeks. Simply can't think what it is that an animal has eaten that it's throwing up. We do get deer, lots of chipmunks & squirrels & I recently found a shrew in my garden (surely that little dude isn't doing this!) Thanks for any help!

Thumbnail by angiehillman Thumbnail by angiehillman
(Zone 5a)

I had no idea what it was until I searched for white fungus that looks like vomit. It is called "Dog Vomit Fungus". Here is a page about it.
http://www.personal.psu.edu/sam21/dogvomit.htm

No control is needed, based on this site. If I had it, I'd leave it alone since it doesn't hurt anything.

Athens, OH(Zone 6a)

Interesting, yes that looks exactly like what it is. And I did immediately think it was the neighbors dog. Thanks so much, I hope the coral bells survive it!

Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

Amazing what the mind's eye conjures up...

You already have your answer, but I would only further comment to say that this fungus and all its wonderful expressions are extremely common on shredded hardwood mulch in landscape beds. While it shouldn't be toxic to live plants, I suppose it could have a "smothering" kind of effect. I'd clear it off, if your Coral Bells are a favorite plant.

Wait'll to see the really golden yellow variation...

Calgary, AB(Zone 3b)

Actually a slime mold, rather than a fungus... cool things!

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

I opened an old wet bag of pine bark mulch and found a bunch of this stuff. "Eww," I said and promptly threw it all out. Live and learn!

Delphos, OH

Common with hot, humid conditions. Just fluff up the mulch to allow it to dry a little and it should go away.

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