Synonyms: Licea perreptans, Reticularia maxima.
Common name: Tapioca Slime Mold.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Brefeldia maxima is a species of non-parasitic plasmodial slime mold, and a member of the class Myxomycetes. It is commonly known as the tapioca slime mold because of its peculiar pure white, tapioca pudding-like appearance. A common species with a worldwide distribution, particularly in North America and Europe. It is often found on bark after heavy rain or excessive watering. Their spores are produced on or in aerial sporangia and are spread by wind, however beetles of the family Lathridiidae are also reported to disperse the spores. Bonner states that soil invertebrates and rain mainly disperse spores as they are sticky and unlikely to be carried by air currents.
Danish: Kæmpeklat, Finnish: Rakkonen, Polish: Siatecznica okazała.
Brefeldia maxima is a species of slime mold that belongs to the class Mycetozoa. It is characterized by its large size, with plasmodium reaching up to 30 cm in diameter, and its distinctive white or yellowish color. In East and Central Texas, Brefeldia maxima has been found growing on decaying wood, particularly on oak and pine logs, in moist, shaded areas. It typically fruits in the spring and summer months, producing sporangia that are cylindrical in shape and up to 1 cm tall. The species is relatively rare in the region, but can be locally abundant in suitable habitats, such as wooded streams and riverbanks.
Tapioca slime mold (Brefeldia maxima)(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 7, 2018
Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Tapioca slime mold (Brefeldia maxima)(?) on a log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 7, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Close up of Tapioca slime mold (Brefeldia maxima)(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 7, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Old brown colony of Tapioca slime mold (Brefeldia maxima)(?) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, May 7, 2018Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mature dry olive-brown sporangia of slime mold Brefeldia maxima on a pine log on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022Midyett, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Black sporangia of slime mold Brefeldia maxima on a pine log without bark on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022Midyett, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Margin of black sporangia of slime mold Brefeldia maxima on a pine log on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022Midyett, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Cross section of black sporangia of slime mold Brefeldia maxima on a pine log on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022Midyett, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in KOH at low magnification, collected on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022
Spores of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in KOH, collected on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022
Spores of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in lugol, collected on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022
Spores of slime mold Brefeldia maxima from mature olive-brown sporangia in KOH, collected on Sand Branch Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery. Texas, October 8, 2022Observations of Brefeldia maxima in East and Central Texas revealed various stages of growth and development. In Lick Creek Park, College Station, the species was found on logs with tapioca-like appearance, close-up views showing intricate details, and old brown colonies indicating maturity. In Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery, mature dry olive-brown sporangia were observed on pine logs, as well as black sporangia on logs without bark. Cross-sections of the black sporangia showed internal structure, and spores were examined in KOH and lugol, revealing their morphology. The observations suggest that Brefeldia maxima can be found in various environments in East and Central Texas, with different stages of growth and development present throughout the year. The species appears to thrive on logs and pine trees, with distinct characteristics visible at different stages of maturity.
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