Stemonitis splendens, commonly known as the chocolate tube slime, is a species of slime mold.

Stemonitis splendens
Shenandoah Mountain, United States
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Phylum: Amoebozoa
Class: Myxogastria
Order: Stemonitidales
Family: Stemonitidaceae
Genus: Stemonitis
Species:
S. splendens
Binomial name
Stemonitis splendens
Rostaf. (1875)

Description

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Closeup of sporangia

Fruiting body

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The sporangia are dark purplish brown, smooth, dry, 10–20 mm tall, and 1–2 mm in diameter. The stem is black, 3–5 mm long, and less than 1 mm thick.[1]

Spore

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The spores are 6–9 μm in diameter, brown, globose, and covered in small warts.[1] They are released into the air if touched.

Ecology and distribution

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Specimens grow in small, compact clusters on sheltered, decaying wood. It is quite common within its range. In Australia the species has been observed in all states.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Young, A.M. (2005). A field guide to the fungi of Australia. UNSW Press. ISBN 0868407429.