Ascomycetes | Basidiomycetes | Classifications | Fruit Body Structure | Slime Molds
Slime Molds
During a foray in the Gorge Track in Palmerston North I came across some slime moulds for the first time, I did not even know they were slime moulds but did recognize them as fungi. They are not mushrooms and inedible but I found them quite fascinating so I photographed them . I don't know much about slime moulds yet but I did manage to identify these two, so there will be more info to come on these mysterious little things.
Family: Stemonitaceae
Stemonitis Axifera
Found on October 22, 2000 in Manawatu Gorge Track, Palmerston North.
About 1.5-2cm high and in groups of large numbers clustered on rotting wood.
Each individual seemed to be standing on a threadlike black stem, rather
shiny in appearance.
Spores seemed to be carried on the top two thirds of the stem, brown in
colour and formed a dusty cloud when touched.
On the very tips are shiny black balls which I would
have
thought carried the spores, I'll have to read up on that.
If you look closely at the picture on the left you may just be able to see the threadlike stems at the base of the fruiting body
Family: Trichiaceae
Arcyria Denudata
Found on the same day as S. Axifera (Oct. 10,2000) at the Manawatu Gorge in
Palmerston North.
This mould looks very similar to S. axifera but lacks the shiny ball on the
surface and did not grow in as big clusters or groups.
It is bright reddish in colour, grows on short threadlike stems but seems to
explode into a large cottony mass from the top downwards at maturity
releasing it's spores, quite fascinating but difficult to handle, almost
like a spider web.
The picture on the right is not very clear, but if you look closely you will see how they start to explode from the top downward
Family: Enteridiaceae
Lycogala Epidendrum
This specimen was found at the Manawatu Gorge Track in October 2003.
About the size of a pea, but stands out in amongst moss due to it's bright
pink colour.
Very tidy appearance, almost delicious looking, firmly attached to it's host
which is dead wood.
Filled with a viscous cream the same colour as the outside. Turns brown at
maturity and releases it's spores.
The second photo shows the contents when it was popped.
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Last Update
18 Feb 2007