Synonyms: Stemonitis castillensis, Stemonitis dictyospora, Stemonitis fasciculata, Stemonitis maxima, Stemonitis nigrescens, Trichia nuda.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Stemonitis fusca is a species of slime mold. It fruits in clusters on dead wood and has distinctive tall brown sporangia supported on slender stalks with a total height of approximately 6–20 mm tall.
Finnish: Tummakääminen, Polish: Paździorek ciemny, Russian: Стемонитис бурый.
Stemonitis fusca is a species of slime mold characterized by its dark brown to black, erect, and simple or branched sporangia, typically 1-5 mm tall, with a cylindrical to clavate shape. In East and Central Texas, it is commonly found on decaying wood, especially in moist, shaded areas, and has been reported to thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and along streams. The slime mold's spores are typically brown and reticulate, with a size range of 6-9 µm in diameter. It is often associated with other organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, and plays a role in decomposing organic matter in these ecosystems.
Slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, April 8, 2018
Slime mold Stemonitis fusca on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, April 8, 2018
Sporangia of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 11, 2018
Brown sporangia of chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis fusca) on a fallen pine on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, February 9, 2019
Close up of chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis fusca) on a fallen pine on Lone Star Hiking Trail near Pole Creek in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, February 9, 2019
Young stage of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a fallen pine on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, March 16, 2019
Young stage of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a fallen rotting pine on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, March 16, 2019
Sporangia of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, June 7, 2019
Immature stage of a slime mold Stemonitis fusca on pine wood in Bastrop State Park. Bastrop, Texas, November 28, 2019
Young stage of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, March 29, 2020
Slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a log on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, April 1, 2020
Sporangia of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 13, 2021
Mature stage of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a large pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 13, 2021
Brown sporangia of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 13, 2021
Masses of sporangia of slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 13, 2021
Young stage of slime mold Stemonitis fusca(?) on a fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 20, 2021
Close-up of semitransparent tubes of slime mold Stemonitis fusca(?) on a fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 20, 2021
Curved white tubes of slime mold Stemonitis fusca(?) on a fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 20, 2021
Slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a pine log on Richards Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, August 7, 2021
Mature slime mold Stemonitis fusca on a mossy pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 4, 2022
Spores of slime mold Stemonitis fusca in KOH from a wet pine log, collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 4, 2022
Spores from old dry mature slime mold Stemonitis fusca(?) from a pine log without bark, collected on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022
Slime mold Stemonitis fusca(?) on an ant mound in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 4, 2023
Spores of slime mold Stemonitis fusca from an ant mound, collected a day before in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 5, 2023The slime mold Stemonitis fusca was observed in East and Central Texas on multiple occasions between 2018 and 2023. The majority of sightings were in Sam Houston National Forest, with additional observations in Lick Creek Park and Bastrop State Park. The species was typically found on logs, particularly pine, and occasionally on other substrates like oak and ant mounds. Various stages of growth were documented, including young, mature, and spore-producing stages. Observations occurred throughout the year, with a concentration of sightings in spring and early summer. The consistency of observations over several years suggests that Stemonitis fusca is a common species in the region, thriving in moist environments with abundant organic matter. Overall, these observations provide valuable insights into the distribution, habitat, and life cycle of this slime mold species in East and Central Texas.
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