Silver Grey Slime mould or Fungi ?

[Supacocker]

Hello

I am intrigued as to what is growing at the base of a old Elder tree in my front garden in Lincoln.

See photo below - the slime is hard but has a brown soft inner.

Thought it might be dog vomit mould but it doesn't seem to be the same as the photo's on the web. Have looked through pages of books without any success in finding out what it is.

If anyone can help please let me know.

This is the first time I have used this website but I am a keen follower of wildlife.

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi and welcome to WAB.

You photo is fairly typical of the slime mould Enteridium lycoperdon.

Commonly found on dead wood, the mould goes through several stages, including a whitish (or sometimes pale yellowish, pale orange/flesh coloured "tapioca" like jelly, followed by the typically silver or sometimes greenish hard skin stage, finally becoming dark brown, enclosing dark brown/blackish and quite solid spore mass.

Regards,
Mike.

[Supacocker]

Many many thanks for your reply - I had looked at some photos of Enteridium lycoperdon but none seemed right, however, a further look has confirmed that this is what is lurking in the bushes. It is an amazing slime..