Pink Pustules of Slime

Slime molds on a pine stump

On an ordinary Saturday morning, upon finding this image on the memory card of the Powershot from months ago, I’d have elaborated.

I’d have given you more background biology of the Slime Molds–a most interesting and perplexing group of PlantAnimal Mushroom chimeras.

But today, I’ll just send you here for a larger view, and here for a variety of images from google that includes some of the other forms this creature can shift into, and then send you on your way.

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fred
fred

Fred First holds masters degrees in Vertebrate Zoology and physical therapy, and has been a biology teacher and physical therapist by profession. He moved to southwest Virginia in 1975 and to Floyd County in 1997. He maintains a daily photo-blog, broadcasts essays on the Roanoke NPR station, and contributes regular columns for the Floyd Press and Roanoke's Star Sentinel. His two non-fiction books, Slow Road Home and his recent What We Hold in Our Hands, celebrate the riches that we possess in our families and communities, our natural bounty, social capital and Appalachian cultures old and new. He has served on the Jacksonville Center Board of Directors and is newly active in the Sustain Floyd organization. He lives in northeastern Floyd County on the headwaters of the Roanoke River.

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  2. I looked at half of Google’s photos of slime molds and was suitable amazed. The slime mold climbing a beer can and the US map made of slime mold were two of the most fascinating, and seeing grass blades with tiny molds was another. Thanks for the link.

  3. I was out weeding the other day when I came across a slime mold that is growing on the ground. I last saw it some years ago, before the area was overtaken by spanish needle. When I first saw it, I thought it was the fecal matter of some animal, but then I remembered. I wish I knew the name of it and how it fits into the ecosystem! I don’t have it in any other place on the property than where it is located. Interesting creature, for lack of a better word!

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