Slime Mold

Slime mold, Identification unknown

Once considered part of the kingdom Fungi, slime molds are now of the kingdom Protoctista. These single-celled organisms are a soil-dwelling amoeba, often with multiple nuclei. In a vegetative state, they form a multinucleate mass of protoplasm called plasmodium. The plasmodium may be anywhere from a few millimeters in diameter to 30 cm (1 ft) across. Within hours, fructification can occur with forms of sporangia (stalked), aethalia (cushioned-shaped structures), or plasmodiocarps (branching). The colors and resemblance range from bioluminescent slim in tropical locations to ones resembling vomit to the creeping yellow Physarum polycephalum often used in botany laboratories. They prefer moist, terrestrial habitats such as decaying wood and fresh dung.