Identification question

[OckViewer]

Hello,

Firstly, sorry if this the wrong thread, I was wondering if someone could help me identify something I saw on a walk this morning.
I don't know if it is a plant, fungus, insect eggs or something made made (agriculture residue?) so though this was the best place to ask.
It is attached to a cut plant stem in a field used to grow crops but for the past five years or so has been left to go fallow and is cut in autumn.





Many Thanks and Happy Christmas

Richard

[MattPrince]

Originally Posted by OckViewer

Hello,

Firstly, sorry if this the wrong thread, I was wondering if someone could help me identify something I saw on a walk this morning.
I don't know if it is a plant, fungus, insect eggs or something made made (agriculture residue?) so though this was the best place to ask.
It is attached to a cut plant stem in a field used to grow crops but for the past five years or so has been left to go fallow and is cut in autumn.

Many Thanks and Happy Christmas

Richard

I suspect its a slime mould or a myxomycete it looks quite similar to this one I found in a similar microhabitat earlier this year - but the more experienced mycologists might know different !

Merry Christmas,
Matt

[OckViewer]

Hi Matt,

Thank you very much for your reply, I've looked it up and yes, it does seem to be a Mucilago crustacea.
I've always thought of slime moulds as fascinating organisms, so it's great to find one.

Richard.

[OckViewer]

Hi Matt,

Thank you very much for your reply, I've looked it up and yes, it does seem to be a Mucilago crustacea.
I've always thought of slime moulds as fascinating organisms, so it's great to find one.

Richard.

[fairplay]

This is supposed to be completely harmless by the way, feeding on microscopic fungal spores and bacteria. Within a few days it will dry up and be dispersed in the wind and rain.

Neil.