Have you seen a fine spider-like web on your lawn that appears early in the morning, but you’re unsure on what it is and if it’s causing damage to your lawn? In this blog, we look at what Mycelium is, why it occurs and when you need to act.
Skip to: Mycelium in Lawns, What Common Lawn Diseases Have Mycelium? Do I Need to Treat Mycelium in my Lawn?
What Common Lawn Diseases Have Mycelium?
Firstly, What’s Mycelium?
When looking at Mycelium, we must first look at what Hyphae are. Hyphae are the single thread-like filament parts of fungi that are responsible for the absorption of nutrients. The Hyphae part of the fungi find and penetrate the food source. They then produce an enzyme that enables the fungi to break down and digest the organic material.
Hyphae are individual filaments, whereas Mycelium is a ‘collection or bundle of Hyphae in one singular place’ (Celine. 2017). Hyphae are usually microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye, but the Mycelium can.
Most forms of fungi will have Hyphae as one of their defining features. Types of fungi that will have Hyphae include moulds, mushroom-producing fungi and pathogenic fungi. Fungi that don’t have Hyphae include some yeasts.
Mycelium in Lawns
When Mycelium is present in lawns, the web and cotton-like structure will sit either in the profile or on top of the leaf blades.
When there are ideal conditions for fungal growth on our lawns, i.e. over watering, soil compaction, poor mowing habits or ideal weather conditions, you may notice an increase in fungal activity.
Some common fungal-related symptoms for lawns include:
- Mycelium webbing on the lawn in the morning before the heat of the day
- Discolouration of grass blades
- Irregular texture
- Wet or slimy-looking turf
- Powdery coatings on turf
What Common Lawn Diseases Have Mycelium?
Common lawn diseases that present Mycelium include:
- Dollar Spot
- Pythium
- Fairy Ring
- Winter Fusarium
- Brown Patch
Do I Need to Treat Mycelium in My Lawn?
The Mycelium itself is not a cause for concern, and treatment is generally not needed. However, if you notice other fungal symptoms, including discolouration of the grass leaf, you may need to step in.
Usually, if you are able to stop environmental conditions that are causing the fungus, including reducing irrigation, increasing sunlight to the affected area and aerating the soil, the disease may go away on its own. However, if the disease persists, a fungicide may be needed.
Fungicides
To treat diseases including Anthracnose, Brown Patch, Winter Fusarium, Leptosphaerulina, Curvularia and Dollar Spot, we recommend using a broad-spectrum fungicide like Tombstone.
To treat Helminthosporium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, and Grey Leaf Spot, you can use a water-dispersible fungicide like Mancozeb.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
References
- Celine, 2017, Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 16/04/2025, <https://www.differencebetween.net/science/nature/difference-between-mycelia-and-hyphae/>
