Amaurochaete atra

Description:

Slime mould. Plasmodium initially creamy-white, later pink and eventually black. Aethalium black, ± hemispherical or pulvinate , up to 2 cm high and up to 8 cm diam. The spotted one was 1-2 cm in diameter. Hypothallus thin, brown, shiny. Cortex thin and brittle, black but with fine white veins forming an irregular reticulum , dehiscing in large pieces . Pseudocapillitium arising from the base of the fructification as fan-like, branched, plates , the branches are ± thread-like and anastomose sparingly, dark red-brown or black. Spore-mass deep black.

Habitat:

Spotted on the trunk of a healthy looking pine tree, pinus sylvetris, at Sierra de Guadarrama, 1400 meters high.

Notes:

When I tried to open it with a knife it broke down showing a dark brown mass of spores, see picture #3 Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.; f/32; ISO Speed Rating: 200. Focal Length: 90.0 mm. Flash fired