Have you ever noticed a green slime or jelly like substance on the ground after the rain? What is that?
It’s Nostoc commune, or star jelly. It is not a plant. Nostoc commune is a special kind of bacteria called cyanobacteria. Regular bacteria use food to get their energy, while cyanobacteria use light to produce their food through photosynthesis.
You probably don’t even notice star jelly when it is dry. It is black and crusty and kind of reminds me of dried seaweed. After the rain, it swells up into a green jelly. Don’t worry, though. It won’t harm your lawn or plants, and it doesn’t hurt animals. It is slippery, so watch your step!
If you’d like to learn more about star jelly, read this article from Ohio State University Extension, and this article from Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.