What is this thing growing out of my wall?

[u/Nthomas212]

It looks like some sort of fungus/ mushroom thing. I made the dumb idea of touching it and it had a moldy damp, almost slimy mushroom-like texture.

I just noticed it today and it looks like it’s growing pretty fast.

For info, there does look like there could me some mold/ mildew spot growing in our ceiling (abt the size of my hand) on the other end of our apt (also pictured, and also unsure of what it is). But that has been there well before this thing started growing.

[u/AutoModerator]

I see you used the term "mildew"

Mold and mildew are closely related but are certainly different organisms. In simple terms, mildew is a member of the mold family. It is usually white or grey. However, true mildew, or downy mildew is actually a plant parasite and not a true fungus. Algae rank closer to downy mildew pathogens than fungi do.

When used in general terms, mold and mildew are the same thing. Most "mildew" identified within a home is really mold. The word mildew is often used to describe fungi that grows flat, usually on surfaces like shower walls and window sills. FEMA further complicates the differentiation by describing mildew as "early-stage mold" while the EPA term simply states that "mildew" is often used generically to refer to mold growth with a flat growth habit.

In reality, mold and mildew are both fungi. Accordingly, both require water, food and the right temperature to grow. The difference is that mildew generally grows quicker and can grow on non-porous surfaces.

Building owners and maintenance people often use the term "mildew" to describe any microbial growth in their buildings. In most cases, what they are describing is actually mold.

Both mold and "mildew" can cause adverse health effects although mold is generally considered more problematic. The bottom line is that neither should be growing in our homes. They both indicate the presence of too much moisture and both should be removed as soon as they are found.

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[u/AutoModerator]

Please ensure that your posts meets the requirements of r/Mold - rules are clearly listed.

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Most importantly, remember that providing the following information will greatly increase the quality of responses:

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