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Stemonitis splendens
Stemonitis is a distinctive genus of slime molds found throughout the world (except Antarctica). They are characterised by the tall brown sporangia, supported on slender stalks, which grow in clusters on rotting wood. Identification within the genus is difficult, and can only be performed with confidence using a microscope --- seperated string,falling together as cluster, about several (2-5) cm long, at the bottom of the string a darker section about 5 - 15 mm
its another species from the genus i found previously ( http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/729... ), this one is hair like, the other was more like little sticks. the structure of the threads were also different. the other one wasn't so large, this spotting had almost no strings as short as the other, i suspect i have here an other species than before !!
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
Spotted on Oct 9, 2011
Submitted on Oct 11, 2011
3 Comments
Nice images. Very neat slime mold.
I found some in my backyard while cleaning up. If you move it the spores come out as brown dust and then quickly disintegrate into the air.
Fantastic looking stuff - love the way it's 'emanating' from the wood in pic3. Excellent photos - thanks.