wasp nest slime mold (part1)

Description:

Sporocarps sessile or stalked, densely crowded when sessile, in groups of up to 12, sharing united stalks when stipitate, up to 2.5 mm total height. Sporothecae sub-cylindrical, conical to subovate, 0.4-0.7 mm diam., dark red, reddish-purple to nearly black, shiny or iridescent. Hypothallus red, merging with the stalk. Peridium of 2(-3) layers, the outer layer cartilaginous, the inner layer membranous, usually dehiscing by a preformed lid. Capillitium red, consisting of a few very long coiled tubules, 5-6 µm diam., with 3-5 spirals and spines up to 4 µm long. Spore-mass rust-red or scarlet. Plasmodium dark red or black. ( http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?searc... ) ( spores here ---> http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/821... )

Habitat:

Metatrichia vesparia is found on all types of wood, and hardwood is preferred. Rarely, it is also growing on fruit bodies of wood-dwelling fungi. The slime mold is found over the whole year, but more often appear from March to May, October and November. He is often found,together with: Hemitrichia calyculata, H. clavata, Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa, Trichia favoginea, T. scabra, T. varia and with some species of the genus Arcyria. Also is he together with the related Metatrichia floriformis encountered ( http://slimemold.uark.edu/fungi/default.... ),( http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?searc... ),( http://eol.org/pages/1008699/overview ),( http://www.hiddenforest.co.nz/slime/inde... )

Notes:

Slime mold or mould is a broad term describing protists that use spores to reproduce. Slime molds were formerly classified as fungi, but are no longer considered part of this kingdom. Their common name refers to part of some of these organisms' life cycles where they can appear as gelatinous "slime". This is mostly seen with the myxomycetes, which are the only macroscopic slime molds. Slime molds have been found all over the world and feed on microorganisms that live in any type of dead plant material. For this reason, these organisms are usually found in soil, lawns, and on the forest floor, commonly on deciduous logs. However, in tropical areas they are also common on inflorescences, fruits and in aerial situations (e.g., in the canopy of trees) and also grow in air conditioners, especially when the drain is blocked. In urban areas, they are found on mulch or even in the leaf mold in gutters. One of the most commonly encountered slime molds is the yellow Physarum polycephalum, found both in nature in forests in temperate zones, as well as in classrooms and laboratories. Most slime molds are smaller than a few centimeters, but some species may reach sizes of up to several square meters and masses of up to 30 grams. Many have striking colours such as yellow, brown and white ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slime_mold )