Stemonitis sp. “Brown Plasmodial Slime Mold” Myxogastria
Tacoma, WA
July 8, 2013
Robert Niese
Slime molds are colonial unicellular organisms that are distantly related to animals and fungi. They are active predators of bacteria, protists, and fungi, and are most often observed in their fruiting phase (as seen above). These beautiful fruiting structures (check out these crazy colors!) then release spores which get distributed by the wind or small animals.
Northwest Naturalist 