Strange substance growing in my mulch?

Question

I have been getting piles of beige-colored substance in my mulch. I looks like sawdust but has the consistency of vomit (sorry-that's kind of gross). It starts out as bright yellow then eventually turns brown and crusty. Any idea what this is? It started out as one pile and now I have had about 5-6 piles.

Answer 1

its a fungus, you can spray it with an spray from the garden center, but it will go away on its own. Usually it is from the moisture but sometimes it can come in the mulch

Answer 2

Looks like you have 'dog vomit slime mold'. Not to worry, it isn't harmful to your plants or animals. Some people mis-identify it as a fungus which it is not. It is found on bark chips which it likes to digest for the carbon. The crusty mass that you describe is the spore bearing aethalium. (Which is why it spreads)  It thrives in areas containing bacteria and moisture.

You cant really get rid of it so enjoy it. Do you have a 10x lens? It really is amazing.