Synonyms: Botryonipha erythrocephala, Botryonipha fimetaria, Calycina fimetaria, Dendrostilbella fimetaria, Helotium fimetarium, Leotia fimetaria, Peziza fimetaria, Sarea fimetaria, Stilbella erythrocephala, Stilbum coprophilum, Stilbum erythrocephalum, Stilbum fimetarium.
Stilbella fimetaria is a species of fungus in the phylum Ascomycota, characterized by its brightly colored, slimy, and irregularly shaped fruiting bodies. In East and Central Texas, it is typically found growing on dung, particularly that of cattle and horses, often in moist, shaded areas with rich soil. The fungus produces conidia and ascospores, with the former being more commonly encountered, and is usually visible during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild and rainfall is abundant.
Orange stalkball fungus Stilbella fimetaria on dog(?) poop on sewage line in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Close-up of pink or orange slimy conidia of fungus Stilbella fimetaria on dog(?) poop on sewage line in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Colony of orange stalkball fungus Stilbella fimetaria on dog(?) poop on sewage line in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Conidiogenous cells in terminal whorls of fungus Stilbella fimetaria on dog(?) poop on sewage line in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Close-up of conidiogenous cells in terminal whorls of fungus Stilbella fimetaria on dog(?) poop on sewage line in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Colony of orange stalkball fungus Stilbella fimetaria together with Trichoderma viride on dog(?) poop on sewage line in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Orange ellipsoidal conidia of fungus Stilbella fimetaria together with Trichoderma viride on dog(?) poop on sewage line in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Orange fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in Congo Red) under a microscope at low magnification collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Tissues and conidia of fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in Congo Red) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Spore size 4.5 - 6.3 × 2.3 - 2.6 µm, length to width ratio Q = 1.81 - 2.5.
Hyphae and conidia of fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in Congo Red) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Hyphae with conidia of fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in Congo Red) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Hyphae with conidia of fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in lugol) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Tissues of black background substance on poop with fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in KOH, x10 objective) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Tissues of black background substance on poop with fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in KOH, x40 objective) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023
Tissues of black background substance on poop with fungus Stilbella fimetaria (in FeCl3 solution) collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 3, 2023Observations of the fungus Stilbella fimetaria in East and Central Texas revealed its presence on dog feces on a sewage line in Lick Creek Park, College Station. The fungus formed orange colonies with slimy conidia, which were observed under various microscopic conditions, including Congo Red, lugol, KOH, and FeCl3 solution. Conidiogenous cells in terminal whorls were also noted. The fungus was found to coexist with Trichoderma viride on the same substrate. Microscopic examination revealed orange ellipsoidal conidia, hyphae, and tissues of the fungus. The observations suggest that Stilbella fimetaria is a common inhabitant of dog feces in this region, and its growth is characterized by distinctive orange colonies and slimy conidia. Further study of this fungus could provide insights into its ecology and role in decomposing organic matter.
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