# Black Sooty Spots on Centipede Grass
Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) is a coarse-textured, native grass of China. The low-maintenance, yellow-green grass spreads with rhizomes. Centipedegrass thrives in sandy, acidic soil and keeps its color all through the year in areas with mild weather. Centipedegrass is susceptible to the slime flux disease that causes sooty, black spots.
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Identification
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Slime flux is caused by amoebalike cells called plasmodiums that belong to the Physarum, Fuligo or Mucilago crustacea species. Plasmodiums are often classified as fungi. Slime flux is most prevalent during cloudy, wet weather.
Symptoms
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The disease is characterized by circular or irregular 4- to 8-inch patches of gray or black fruiting bodies on blades. Thousands of pin-head sized fruiting bodies merge to create the black, sootlike patches on grass surfaces. Hot daytime temperatures dry the patches and the dustlike spores are released in the air when grass is disturbed. In severe cases, slime flux covers the entire lawn area.
Management
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Improve drainage in the soil and dethatch the centipedegrass regularly to minimize the appearance of slime flux. Lightly rake the lawn surface to remove fruiting bodies or spray grass with a water stream to dislodge fruiting bodies. Fungicidal control options are ineffective.
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