SLIME MOULDS

CRIBRARIACEAE

The Cribrariaceae family normally have stalked sporangia and a calyculus (small cup-shaped structure) may be present, but not always. In some species the delicate peridium may appear like a net.

Cribraria argillacea looks similar to lead shot and is normally associated with conifers. This was found on a decorticated pine trunk on Hog Hill in Hainault Forest. The characteristic lead shot appearance of the freshly formed plasmodium, the reduced peridial net, together with shortish stalk and large fruit-body makes this species fairly easy to identify. The dark stalks are seldom more than 1mm high. It turns clay-brown before breaking up to release spores. This slime mould is sometimes affected by Stilbella byssiseda, a white fungal infection with white thread-like growths. Thank you to Brian Ecott and Professor Bruce Ing for helping with the identification and verification of this record.

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