Synonyms: Stemonitis acuminata, Stemonitis baeuerlinii, Stemonitis fenestrata, Stemonitis lignicola, Stemonitis morganii, Stemonitis webberi.
Common name: chocolate tube slime.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Stemonitis splendens, commonly known as the chocolate tube slime, is a species of slime mold.
Stemonitis splendens is a species of slime mold characterized by its slender, yellow to orange-yellow sporangia, typically 1-3 mm tall, with a rounded to elongated head and a stalk that is usually shorter than the head. In East and Central Texas, it is commonly found on decaying logs, stumps, and other woody debris in moist, shaded areas, often near streams or rivers. It tends to thrive in regions with rich soil and abundant organic matter, such as the eastern deciduous forests and woodland edges of the region. The slime mold typically fruits in late summer to early fall, with sporangia appearing in clusters or scattered individuals on the substrate.
Cluster of fruiting bodies of chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis splendens) on a pine log near Forest Service Road 203 in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, September 28, 2013
Tall brown sporangia of chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis splendens or may be fusca) covering pine log near Forest Service Road 203 in Sam Houston National Forest. Richards, Texas, September 28, 2013
Chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis splendens or may be fusca) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, March 10, 2018
Chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis splendens or may be fusca) on rotting wood on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, March 29, 2020
Chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis splendens or may be fusca) on a stump on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, March 29, 2020
Immature stage of chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis splendens or may be fusca) on a log on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, March 29, 2020
Brown sporangia of chocolate tube slime mold (Stemonitis splendens or may be fusca) on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, March 29, 2020Observations of Stemonitis splendens in East and Central Texas reveal that the species thrives in wooded areas, particularly on decaying wood. Clusters of fruiting bodies have been found on pine logs, stumps, and rotting wood in Sam Houston National Forest. The species has been spotted in various locations, including near Forest Service Road 203, Caney Creek Trail, and Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail. The chocolate tube slime mold has been observed in different stages, from immature to mature, with tall brown sporangia covering logs and stumps. The observations were made on different dates, including September 28, 2013, March 10, 2018, and March 29, 2020, suggesting that the species is active during various times of the year. The slime mold's presence is often associated with moist, wooded environments.
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