Pink Snow Mold—Microdochium nivale and Gray Snow Mold—Typhula spp.
Snow molds affect the aesthetics of turf and lawns.
Damage from snow molds become apparent as snow melts. Pink snow mold, shown above, starts white and becomes a faint pink color.
Symptoms are circles, 3 to 12 inches in diameter, of dead grass which may merge and not be recognizable as individual circles. Gray snow mold, shown above, is generally white to gray in color.
Circles consist of dead and matted grass blades.
Close-up of pink snow mold damage.
Close-up of gray snow mold damage.
Dead and matted grass caused by gray snow mold.
Click on images to view full-size
Identification and Control Information
- Turfgrass Disease Profiles: Gray Snow Mold (PDF)—Purdue Extension
- Gray Snow Mold on Turfgrass—Cornell
- Report on Plant Disease: Snow Molds of Turfgrasses (PDF)—University of Illinois Extension
More Information
- Report on Plant Disease: Turfgrass Disease Control (PDF)—University of Illinois Extension
[Photos: William M. Brown Jr., Bugwood.org; unknown; William M. Brown Jr., Bugwood.org; Iowa State University; Iowa State University; Iowa State University]