Synonyms: Enteridium lycoperdon, Fuligo lycoperdon, Lycogala punctatum, Lycogala turbinatum, Mucor lycogala, Reticularia umbrina, Strongylium fuliginoides, Trichoderma fuliginoides.
Common name: False Puffball.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Enteridium lycoperdon, the false puffball, is one of the more obvious species of slime mould or Myxogastria, typically seen in its reproductive phase as a white 'swelling' on standing dead trees in the spring, or on large pieces of fallen wood. Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a common host.
Danish: Skinnende støvpude, Dutch: Zilveren boomkussen, Egyptian Arabic: انتريديوم ليكوبيردون, German: Stäublings-Schleimpilz, Russian: Ретикулярия дождевик, Swedish: Sotägg.
Reticularia lycoperdon is a species of slime mold that belongs to the class Mycetozoa. It is characterized by its reticulate (net-like) spore-bearing structure and globular to subglobular shape. In East and Central Texas, Reticularia lycoperdon has been found in deciduous and mixed forests, typically growing on decaying logs, stumps, and other organic matter. The slime mold produces yellowish to brownish sporangia that are 2-5 mm in diameter, with a reticulate pattern of ridges or folds on the surface. It is relatively common in the region, particularly during the spring and fall months when moisture levels are higher.
Caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) on a vertically cut surface of a large fallen pine near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 18, 2024
Cross section of caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) on a large fallen pine near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 18, 2024
Caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) on a side surface of a large fallen pine near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 18, 2024
Immature spores (in lugol) of caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) from a fallen pine, collected in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, February 18, 2024
Mature Caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) on a cut surface of a fallen pine on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 5, 2024
Close-up of mature Caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) on a cut surface of a fallen pine on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 5, 2024
Brown spores of mature Caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) on a cut surface of a fallen pine on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 5, 2024
Spores (in KOH) of Caca de luna slime mold (Reticularia lycoperdon, Enteridium lycoperdon) collected on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 5, 2024Observations of Reticularia lycoperdon in East and Central Texas reveal the species' presence on fallen pine trees. On February 18, 2024, specimens were found on a large fallen pine near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest, with the slime mold appearing on vertically cut, side, and cross-section surfaces. Immature spores were collected and observed under lugol. Later, on March 5, 2024, mature specimens were found on a cut surface of a fallen pine, displaying brown spores. Close-up observations and spore examination in KOH further confirmed the species' identity. The slime mold was consistently found on fallen pines, suggesting a preference for this substrate. These observations provide insight into the habitat and morphology of Reticularia lycoperdon in East and Central Texas. The species' growth and spore development were documented over time, offering a glimpse into its life cycle.
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