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Wolf's Milk

Lycogala epidendrum

Photo by JC_Forester
Published on Project Noah
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36.7587, -83.7444

Field Notes

Description:

During the plasmodial stage, individuals are reddish in color, but these are almost never seen. When conditions change, the individuals aggregate by means of chemical signaling to form an aethalium, or fruiting body. These appear as small cushion-like blobs measuring about 3–15 millimetres (0.12–0.59 in) in diameter. Colour is quite variable, ranging from pinkish-grey to yellowish-brown or greenish-black, with mature individuals tending towards the darker end. They may be either round or somewhat compressed with a warted or rough texture. While immature they are filled with a pink, paste-like fluid. With maturity the fluid becomes a powdery mass of minute gray spores. The spores measure 6 to 7.5 µm and are round in shape with a netted texture and appearing ochre to lavender in colour.

Habitat:

Occur either scattered or in groups on damp rotten wood, especially on large logs, from June to November.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

I had no idea this was a plasmodial slime. Crazy.
Good deal. I wasn't sure. This is a new one for me. Wild..
Good stuff ! I'm still hoping to find this. Technically not Fungi category - I'm putting my mxyos in Other.
Photographed
PublishedJune 8, 2013

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