Wolf's-Milk Slime

Lycogala epidendrum

Plant Life Native IUCN: Not Evaluated

About

A small slime mold that grows on top of rotting wood. The colour varies greatly and changes as the slime mold matures at first pinkish-gray to bright cinnabar-red when young. At this stage the flesh is a pinkish, paste-like substance (like toothpaste?). With maturity the fruit body becomes yellow-brown or olive-brown and the spore mass becomes powdery and pinkish-gray to ochre in mass.

Note: This non edible species is not a fungus or mushroom It belongs to a group called slime molds, or myxomycetes—a group of funguslike organisms that at one time were regarded as animals, then thought to be plants, then fungi. Now, because of DNA studies, slime molds are believed to be closer to the protozoa. They are studied by botanists and mycologists. Included here as I do not have a better grouping for it

Size

This slime mold forms fruit bodies 3-15 mm wide.

Habitat

Scattered to clustered on well-rotted wood

Distribution

world wide

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (1)
  1. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2022-08-05 17:07:51)

Header image: (CC BY-NC 4.0) © clawrenc

Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into making sure identifications, descriptions, sizes, habitats and distribution details are as accurate as possible — but this information is ever-changing, so no guarantee is offered that it is correct or currently valid. Treat it as a guide and do a little of your own research for the latest word. Feedback and corrections are always welcome.