Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa – Coral slime.
Kingdom Protozoa > Phylum Amoebozoa > Myxomycetes > Ceratiomyxaceae.
There are 4 species of Ceratiomyxa.
They are widespread and have a fruiting body, also known as Coral slime, unlike any other Myxomycete.
They are found on decaying wood and in groups up to a metre or more in size.
The plasmodium is thin, usually translucent or white and is covered in mucous.
Fruiting bodies develop over a few hours.
The basic form is a white, translucent, finger-like column up to 1 mm wide and 10 mm high.
Sometimes the columns branch.
White spores develop on the sides of the columns.
In Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa each spore is on a thin stalk.
J.F.
