Sweetcorn Smut??

[Helgalush]

The other week I was fiddling in my pot that I am growing 4 baby sweetcorn plants in, and there was this very odd white-ish ball of something in the soil. Wearing gloves I got it out of the soil with the weeds I was picking, but I was a bit alarmed as to what it was and put it to one side. I think it has since ended up in the outdoor bin so I cant show a picture.

It was a bit like a soft boiled egg, maybe a bit smaller. I am trying to recall what I grew in the pot last year - I think it was tomatoes but cant be sure..... If a tomato had fallen in to the soil and rotted, it wouldnt be white now would it?

I've just come across something called sweetcorn smut in a book....is it possible it was this? My sweetcorn look healthy so I dont think they are affected, but is there anything I need to do?

[rustylady]

I think you are reading too much. It's a bit like reading one of the medical encylopaedias, if you read enough you can convince yourself that you have any terrible disease

[taff]

not possible, it grows above the ground and on points of injury on the plant, mostly on the ears.
it was probably a fungus called witches egg/stinkhorn

[Helgalush]

Is it dangerous? (I should at this point add I have OCD tendencies - so yes I read something and immediately think the worst! ). Thank you.

[taff]

I won't spoil the surprise if you google it......

[Helgalush]

Edible??? Yuk!!

[Aberdeenplotter]

could possibly just have bee a fungal growth similar to a mushroom or a puffball.