Synonyms: Didymium gyrocephalum, Didymium luteogriseum, Didymium obrusseum, Didymium polycephalum, Didymium polymorphum, Didymium tenerrimum, Lignydium multiplex, Lignydium obrusseum, Lignydium polycephalum, Lignydium polymorphum, Physarum multiplex, Physarum obrusseum, Physarum polymorphum, Tilmadoche gyrocephala, Tilmadoche polycephala.
Common name: Many-Headed Slime.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Physarum polycephalum, the "many-headed slime", is a slime mold that inhabits shady, cool, moist areas, such as decaying leaves and logs. Like slime molds in general, it is sensitive to light; in particular, light can repel the slime mold and be a factor in triggering spore growth.
Arabic: فيزاروم بوليسي فالوم, Chinese: 多头绒泡菌, Czech: Vápenatka mnohohlavá, Japanese: モジホコリ, Persian: بلاب.
Physarum polycephalum is a species of slime mold that belongs to the phylum Mycetozoa. It is a single-celled organism that exhibits characteristics of both animals and fungi. In East and Central Texas, Physarum polycephalum has been found in moist, shaded areas with abundant organic matter, such as deciduous forests, woodlands, and along streams. It typically grows on decaying logs, stumps, and leaf litter, forming a network of yellowish or white fan-shaped or brain-like structures. The slime mold is known to thrive in temperatures between 10-25°C and high humidity, which are common conditions in the region's spring and fall seasons. Physarum polycephalum plays an important role in decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients in East and Central Texas ecosystems.
Physarum polycephalum(?) slime mold (Mycetozoa) on a stump in Wolf Pen Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 26, 2018
Wolf Pen Creek Trail, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Many-headed slime mold (Physarum polycephalum) at a base of a tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, May 5, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Many-headed slime mold (Physarum polycephalum) on bark at a base of a tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, May 5, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Many-headed slime mold (Physarum polycephalum) under bark at a base of a tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, May 5, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Masses of many-headed slime mold (Physarum polycephalum) at a base of a tree on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, May 5, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Orange plasmodium of many-headed slime mold Physarum polycephalum on a big fallen pine on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2019LSHT Little Lake Creek Loop, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close up of orange plasmodium of many-headed slime mold Physarum polycephalum on a mossy pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2019LSHT Little Lake Creek Loop, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Orange plasmodium of many-headed slime mold Physarum polycephalum with moss on a big fallen pine on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2019LSHT Little Lake Creek Loop, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Orange plasmodium of many-headed slime mold Physarum polycephalum with coral slime mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. porioides) on a big fallen pine on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 27, 2019LSHT Little Lake Creek Loop, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Slime mold Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. porioides together with Physarum polycephalum(?) on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 13, 2019Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gradually inflating slime mold Physarum polycephalum(?) (yellow) enveloping Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. porioides on a pine log on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, July 13, 2019Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USAObservations of Physarum polycephalum in East and Central Texas revealed the slime mold's presence in various locations, including Wolf Pen Creek Park and Sam Houston National Forest. The species was found on stumps, tree bases, and fallen logs, often under bark or on mossy surfaces. Multiple sightings were recorded on Caney Creek Trail, with notable observations including masses of the slime mold at a tree base and orange plasmodium on fallen pines. Co-occurrence with other slime molds, such as Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa var. porioides, was also observed, with Physarum polycephalum sometimes enveloping the other species. The sightings spanned from February to July, indicating a potential active period for the species in this region. The observations provide insight into the habitat and behavior of Physarum polycephalum in East and Central Texas.
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