Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis splendens)
Last Modified: 29-8-2021 16:28
Growing on decaying wood at Taylor Dam
© Christopher Cookson License this image
Chocolate Tube Slime (Stemonitis splendens) is a species of slime mold typically found on decaying wood. S. splendens is widely distributed naturally and can be found in many locations globally across a wide range of latitudes from cooler climates to the tropics. Like othe slime molds, S. splendens is not a fungus, but a member of Myxomycota, a division of organisms with fungus like properties, but also distinct differences, so that they are classified separately under Protista, which covers a broad class of organisms that don't fit into the animal, plant, or fungi kingdoms.
Characteristics of the species are a short black stalk, with brown sporangia, occuring in large colonies.
This example was observed on decaying willow at the Taylor Dam.
Image Date: 9/3/2017
Photographer: Christopher Cookson
Location: Latitude: -41.574055 Longitude: 173.933823