Sample #10: Lycogala epidendrum, slime mold

Name: Lycogala epidendrum

Common Name: Wolf's Milk Slime

Family: Reticulariaceae

Collection Date: October 16,2016

Habitat: Found growing on a fallen tree, growing closely to the ground. Sample was surrounded by other members of the same species.

Location: Camp Asbury

Description:  The sample looks like a gray mushroom. Small in diameter, and found growing with other members of the same species.

Figure 1: Top view of the Lycogala epidendrum. During the summer months, the slime mold is usually a red or pink, but once the fall begins, it turns to gray color, and is filled with gray spores.

Figure 2:  Inside view of the slime mold. A massive amount of spores can be seen here, along with the spores that have fallen on the surface. 

Key Used: Mycetozoa GSMNP -- identification guide -- Discover Life. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://www.discoverlife.org/20/q?guide=Mycetozoa_GSMNP

Keying Guide:

1. Fruiting body type......Aethalium, results given: 7

2. Spore mass color....Light, results given: 4

3. Peridium with line...No, results given: 4

4. True Capillitium...No, results given: 4

At this point, each of the four potential samples were located on, and discarded or choosen on morphology, location and growing patterns.  The sample was then looked at and confirmed for accuracy at: 

 Myxomycetes www.myxomycetes.net. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://myxomycetes.net/