This disease has two phases, the leaf spot phase and the crown and root rot, or melting-out, phase. Leaf spots occur during cool, humid weather in the spring and fall. Older leaves are more susceptible. Small, dark, round, reddish-brown to purplish-black spots appear on the leaves. A yellow ring may surround them. The spots grow to an oval. The centers die, turning light brown to almost white. On a few species, these fungi can cause a net-like pattern of brown streaks and spots. Spots may occur on leaves, sheathes, and stems. In severe cases, the stem spots may completely encircle the stems, killing the plant above the spot. This can severely thin the stand. Warm dry (or dry after wet) weather is favorable to the crown rots phase of this disease. On susceptible cultivars, the fungus may invade the roots and crowns, and cause a reddish-brown dry rot that later becomes black. The plants wilt, drop their leaves, and turn yellow to brown as they die. Melting-out is a fungal disease caused by Drechslera poae. Kentucky bluegrass is the primary, but not the only, host. Fescue, ryegrass, bent grass, and Bermuda grass have similar leaf spots and crown rots caused by other Drechslera species.

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