Community find

Red Raspberry Slime Mold

Tubifera ferruginosa

Group

Slime Mold

Season

Commonly found from late spring through fall, especially after periods of rain, as moisture is essential for their development and fruiting.

Habitat

Found on decaying wood, logs, stumps, and leaf litter in humid, shaded environments, particularly in forests. It prefers moist conditions.

Key characteristics

The Red Raspberry Slime Mold (Tubifera ferruginosa) forms pseudoaethalia, which are cushion-shaped to hemispherical, typically 1-5 cm across. They are composed of numerous cylindrical sporangia tightly packed together, resembling a raspberry. Initially, they are bright red, orange, or pink, often shiny, eventually turning dull reddish-brown to dark brown as they mature. The individual sporangia are typically 2-5 mm tall. It lacks a true cap and stem structure typical of gilled mushrooms. The 'stem' seen in the image is likely a stipe-like base or part of the pseudocolumella, common for Tubifera. Spore print is rusty brown.

Look-alikes

Other Tubifera species, though Tubifera ferruginosa is distinctive due to its bright red to orange color when young and raspberry-like appearance. Other slime molds might have different colors or growth forms, such as those that are more net-like or entirely different shapes. Some immature polypores could be mistaken from a distance, but close inspection reveals the distinct sporangia structure of the slime mold.

Ecological role

Slime molds like Tubifera ferruginosa are saprophytic organisms. They play a crucial role in decomposition by consuming bacteria, yeasts, and other microorganisms found in decaying organic matter, contributing to nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. They are not fungi but protists.