Many beneficial organisms in the landscape are mistaken for diseases or harmful pests. One of the most commonly mistaken organisms is Spanish moss and it's cousin, the ball moss. Neither are harmful. Another common mistaken identity is sooty mold - it's not a disease but looks similar to one on plant leaves. A very common beneficial organism mistaken for disease is the lichen. Lichens are great bioindicators and are symbiotic associations between plants and algae.
The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federal, state, and county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. We are an equal opportunity institution.
