Is this Lycogala epidendrum or L. terrestre?

[Bruce Williams]

The largest head is about 1cm across. Michael Jordan's book says that L. terrestre is often mistaken for L. epidendrum. He says that L. epidendrum has a grey peridium and spore mass. However on several websites L. epidendrum is described and illustrated as being variable in colour including orange/pink.

Is there a key difference that can be used to identify between the two species?

Bruce

[Leif]

It starts out orange/pink then becomes greyish at which point the spores are mature and you can examine the spore mass.

I think all you can do is take one attached to a bit of wood, wait for it to ripen, then examine the spores under a microscope.

However, I am pretty ignorant when it comes to slime moulds, and someone else might have something more informative to add.