Are these Alien Eggs?

[frankenyoter]

I found these under my Sugar Maple in some mulch. Grabbed a stick and popped it out. Very weird little things.

I have had puff balls in the grass before, but never seen the likes of these.

Can anybody name this WTF? For for bonus points, can anyone tell me how prevent the recurrence?

 

[jeepinmatt]

Looks like mushrooms. Is there anything inside them? Also, best way to prevent them is keep it dry.

 

[EdJonesJeeper]

Looks like there is a fungus among us.

 

[drkelly]

I used to get those in the lawn at my old house. I always wondered what they were too.

 

[frankenyoter]

It is a fungus. For lack of a better term it looks like a detached eyeball. It has a white shell and a gelatinous brain looking thing on the inside. Even had a "tap root" that resembled the optic nerve.

And how the heck do you keep mulch dry when it rains 8 days a week?!?

 

[mommucked]

Too bad they're not Truffles, $$$

 

[McCracken]

Too bad they're not Truffles, $$$

that was my first thought

 

[lockedup5]

I always heard if fungus or mushrooms were growing near a tree that it is probably dying...dieing...dyeing... you know what I mean. Always had trouble with that word.
Hope this is not the case.

 

[mommucked]

I think it probly has sumpthin to do w the mulch, but I'me no expert.

 

[Reid]

It's a highly toxic fungus. When inhaled the spores take root in the lungs and begin to reproduce. A full bronchial take over can happen by as early as three months. The treatment consist of a regimen of painful direct interbrachial shots. Thats needles through the chest and right into the lungs. 3 a day. I sure hope you didnt breath any in.

 

[frankenyoter]

Nah didn't breath any but I ate two

 

[catfishblues]

I always heard if fungus or mushrooms were growing near a tree that it is probably dying...dieing...dyeing... you know what I mean. Always had trouble with that word.
Hope this is not the case.

You had it right the first time.