Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa

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.