Stemonitis splendens

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Stemonitis splendens
Shenandoah Mountain, United States
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Phylum: Amoebozoa
Class: Myxogastria
Order: Stemonitidales
Family: Stemonitidaceae
Genus: Stemonitis
Species:
S. splendens
Binomial name
Stemonitis splendens
Rostaf. (1875)

Stemonitis splendens, commonly known as the chocolate tube slime, is a species of slime mold.

Description

Closeup of sporangia

Fruiting body

The sporangia are dark purplish brown, smooth, dry, 10–20 mm tall, and 1–2 mm in diameter. The stem is black, 3–5 mm long, and less than 1 mm thick.[1]

Spore

The spores are 6–9 µm in diameter, brown, globose, and covered in small warts.[1] They are released into the air if touched.

Ecology and distribution

Specimens grow in small, compact clusters on sheltered, decaying wood. It is quite common within its range. In Australia the species has been observed in all states.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Young, A.M. (2005). A field guide to the fungi of Australia. UNSW Press. ISBN 0868407429.