Lycogala epidendrum (Linnaeus) Fr.
(a slime mould)

Taxonomic hierarchy:
SpeciesLycogala epidendrum (a slime mould)
GenusLycogala (a genus of slime moulds)
FamilyTUBIFERACEAE (a family of slime moulds)
OrderLICEIDA (an order of slime moulds)
ClassMYXOGASTREA (slime moulds, myxomycetes)
SubphylumMYCETOZOA (a subphylum of slime moulds)
PhylumAMOEBOZOA (amoebae and cellular slime moulds)
SubkingdomSARCOMASTIGOTA (a subkingdom of protozoans)
KingdomPROTOZOA (protists, single-celled organisms)
DomainEukaryota (eukaryotes)
LifeBIOTA (living things)

Identification Works

AuthorYearTitleSource
Ing, B. 1987 First Steps - a Beginner’s Guide: Why not look at Myxomycetes? Mycologist Vol 01 (4): 162-163.

Lycogala epidendrum (a slime mould) may also be included in identification literature listed under the following higher taxa:

NBNNBN (data.nbn.org.uk) has a distribution map for Lycogala epidendrum (a slime mould)
BioInfoBioInfo (www.bioinfo.org.uk) has 4 host/parasite/foodplant and/or other relationships for Lycogala epidendrum (a slime mould)

The dark grey aethalia are found on damp rotting wood.

The more common L. terrestre was not distinguished until recently.

The fragile pseudocapillitial tubes are 8-12µm diam (12-25µm in L. terrestre).

The red plasmodium, dark grey aethalia and grey spore mass separate it from L. terrestre.

L. terrestre.

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