Microdochium (snow mold) spots develop in cool conditions. What color are the spots?

Microdochium (snow mold) spots develop in cool conditions. What color are the spots?

• A. Whitish gray or reddish brown
• B. Pink fungal strands can be seen on edges of spots
• C. Deep green spots
• D. Black

Answer: (A)

Snow mold from Microdochium shows up in cool, wet conditions as patches of dead turf that are either whitish gray or reddish brown. That color describes the spots themselves—the tissue has died and the surface may look pale gray to brown, not green or black. You might see some pinkish fungal growth at the edges as the fungus sporulates, but the color of the spots on the turf is best described as whitish gray to reddish brown.

Snow mold from Microdochium shows up in cool, wet conditions as patches of dead turf that are either whitish gray or reddish brown. That color describes the spots themselves—the tissue has died and the surface may look pale gray to brown, not green or black. You might see some pinkish fungal growth at the edges as the fungus sporulates, but the color of the spots on the turf is best described as whitish gray to reddish brown.