PHYSARALES 81

Physarum bitectum G. Lister

Date 31 May 2017. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate twig and leaf in
Dicksonia antarctica. Description globose sessile sporangia
to 5 mm diameter plus short and long plasmodiocarps 0.4
mm diameter to 10 mm long, terete; white in the upper part,
brown at base. Hypothallus not conspicuous. Peridium two
layers but not easily separating: outer layer white calcium
carbonate; inner layer membranous, colourless, iridescent;
dehiscence irregular. Columella absent. Capillitium sparse
white variously-shaped nodes connected by hyaline threads.
Spores dark brown in mass, brown by transmitted light,
with light and dark areas, spinulose, 12–13 µm. Notes Also
collected from an adjacent D antarctica on 3 June 2017 and
from ground litter downslope from track 7 June 2019.
Identified by its terete rather than laterally compressed
plasmodiocarps and irregular dehiscence.

3 June 2017

893
82

Physarum bivalve Pers.

Date 8 June 2017. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves and twigs on
the crown of Dicksonia antarctica. Description scattered
and crowded sessile, laterally compressed sometimes curved
sporangia and plasmodiocarps (some branching), 0.5–13
mm long to 1 mm high, white. Hypothallus inconspicuous.
Peridium two distinct easily separating layers, the outer
layer smooth, mostly white with pale lemon at the base
of some sporangia; inner layer membranous, iridescent.
Dehiscence by preformed longitudinal fissure. Capillitium
dense, of numerous white angular to rounded nodes with
short connecting threads. Spores black in mass, brown in
transmitted light with pale area, minutely warted, 10–11µm.
Plasmodium white. Notes Found in same D. antarctica as P.
bitectum 0893. Keys out to P. bivalve in Stephenson (2003)
and N.E.N–B 1991.

0897
 PHYSARALES 83

Physarum bogoriense Raciborski

Date 8 Jun. 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves of Pomaderris
apetala and Acacia melanoxylon. Description scattered and
clustered sessile sporangia and plasmodiocarps; dark brown
when first collected, gradually fading to white with orange-
brown underside; 1.5–2.5 mm long x 0.4–0.5 mm diameter.
Peridium double (triple?), the outer layer peeling away in
some sporangia. Capillitium with rounded white lime nodes.
Spores dark brown in mass, red brown by transmitted light,
warted, 8–9 µm. Plasmodium white. Notes: The plasmodium
was photographed and the location was marked with tape. The
mature sporangia were clustered on the underside and edge of
leaves of Pomaderris apetala and Acacia melanoxylon. The same
species was collected from approximately the same location on
24 July 2016.

23 Sept. 2019 collected from lichen encrusted soil

MEL 322 0120

84

Physarum compressum Alb. & Schwein

Date 29 Mar. 2013. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (thismia gully).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate dead Clematis
aristata. Description scattered and crowded stalked laterally
compressed sporangia up to 1.1 mm high. Sporangia globose-
compressed globose, (0.5 mm diameter) reniform or fan-
shaped (1.1 mm high x 0.7 x 0.4 mm diameter), white or pale
grey encrusted with white calcium carbonate. Stalk very short,
some appressed on substrate, dark brown with white dusting
of lime. Hypothallus discoid or irregular, membranous,
colourless or dark brown. Peridium encrusted with white
calcium carbonate with some iridescence; irregular dehiscence.
Capillitium thin tubes with variable-sized nodes. Spores
globose to sub-globose, black in mass, brown by transmitted
light, warted 12–14 µm. Notes Most collections from dead
Clematis aristata and nearby litter.

2 May 2019 P. compressum developing on dead C. aristata. 5 June 2019 P. compressum on dead C. aristata

MEL243 307
 PHYSARALES 85

Physarum contextum (Pers.) Pers.

Date 12 July 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat closed wet Eucalypt forest. Substrate live stipe of
Dicksonia antarctica and accumulated litter on crown of D.
antarctica. Description several small groups of crowded
sessile sporangia and plasmodiocarps, angular by mutual
pressure, 0.8–1 mm x 0.5 mm diameter. Hypothallus
membranous, colourless or yellow, inconspicuous. Peridium
two layers: the outer layer cracking, thickly encrusted with
pale yellow to yellow orange lime; inner layer membranous,
pale yellow, encrusted with colourless lime. Columella absent.
Capillitium white angular lime nodes. Spores black in mass,
brown by transmitted light, paler on one side, warted, 10 µm.
Plasmodium yellow.
Notes All specimens of this species have been found on litter
accumulated on the crowns of D. antarctica.

5 July 2019 P. contextum on twig in Dicksonia antarctica litter

MEL343 154
86

Physarum decipiens M.A. Curtis

Date 24 July 2018. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate moss on fallen dead
Bedfordia salicina. Description scattered and clustered sessile
globose pale lemon to yellow sporangia 0.4–0.7 mm diameter.
Sporotheca globose, the pale lemon to yellow upper part
is impregnated with yellow CaCO₃ granules; lower part
different: orange brown without granules and slightly plicate
towards base. Hypothallus inconspicuous Columella absent.
Capillitium conspicuous, relatively large rounded or elongate
yellow nodes connected by threads only visible by transmitted
light. Spores dark brown in mass, dark by transmitted light,
minutely spiny, 10 µm. Notes Bright yellow when it first
appeared, then dark and inconspicuous; first record for Black
Sugarloaf - and Tasmania.

1664
 PHYSARALES 87

Physarum flavicomum Berk.

Date 29 March 2015. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (swamp).
Habitat Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest. Substrate small
fallen branch near the ground. Description extensive colony
covering over a meter mostly on the underside of the branch,
1.2 mm high. Sporotheca globose to hemispherical, nodding,
umbilicate where the stalk attaches, 0.4 mm diameter,
iridescent. Stalk long, grooved; red grading to yellow at apex.
Hypothallus membranous, shiny, inconspicuous. Peridium
single layer breaking into flakes that remain attached to the
capillitium, golden, purple and blue iridescence. Columella
absent. Capillitium yellow nodes connected by colourless
threads. Spores brown in mass, paler by transmitted light,
minutely punctate with groups of darker warts, 8 µm. Notes
collected most years from this substrate and from another
small log. It occasionally appears in the winter months.

MEL 357 0379

88

Physarum globuliferum (Bull.) Pers.

Date 1 Jan. 2013. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (thismia gully).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate decaying wood on the
ground. Description gregarious stalked sporangia, 0.9–1.4
mm high. Sporotheca globose, erect, greyish-white 0.4–0.6
mm diameter. Stalk wrinkled, parallel sided but pinched at
base, pale ochraceous. Hypothallus discoid, membranous,
yellow brown. Peridium single layer, membranous with
encrusted greyish CaCO₃, some iridescence. Columella short.
Capillitium small rounded off white lime nodes connected
by hyaline threads; retains shape after dehiscence. Spores dark
brown in mass, light brown by transmitted light, minutely
warted with darker warts, 7–9 µm. Notes P. globuliferum is
quite easy to identify by its globose sporotheca that retains its
shape after dehiscence, and the straw-coloured parallel-sided
stalk that is pinched at the base.

10 April 2018 21 Jan. 2017

MEL205 0601
 PHYSARALES 89

Physarum leucophaeum Fries

Date October 2010. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (thismia gully)
Habitat Closed wet Eucalypt forest. Substrate decaying log.
Description six scattered stalked sporangia 0.7–0.8 mm
high; Sporotheca hemispheric, thickly encrusted with
patches of white CaCO₃, 0.5 mm diameter x 0.3 mm high.
Peridium encrusted with patches of white CaCO₃ on a dark
membranous background. Stalk pale lemon, wrinkled 0.4
mm long. Capillitium thin threads connecting nodes. Spores
dark brown in mass, paler by transmitted light, warted with
patches of darker warts, 7µm.
Notes One collection only.

0354
90

Physarum luteolum Peck

Date 2 June 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves of Pomaderris
apetala on ‘big tree’ log. Description sessile sub-globose
sporangia 0.8 mm diameter and short terete plasmodiocarps to
3 mm long; bright yellow in #596, faded in #595. Peridium
iridescent membrane covered with scales: bright yellow in
0596, faded in 0595. Capillitium physaroid, rounded and
angular yellow nodes fading to white, connected with hyaline
threads. Spores dark brown in mass, brown by transmitted
light, globose to sub-globose, warted, 8–9 µm.
Notes Identified by the sessile sporangia and short
plasmodiocarps and the substrate, i.e. ground litter. Possibly
quite common but mature specimens are extremely cryptic
making this species easy to overlook unless the bright yellow
early stage is observed.

14 June 2019 young P. luteolum on a leaf. 15 June 2019 P. luteolum on litter

0595 & 0596

 PHYSARALES 91

Physarum pseudocolumellatum ad int.

Date 14 June 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate bark and moss on
standing dead Bedfordia salicina. Description widely scattered
stalked sporangia, mostly solitary but some in groups of two
or three, 1 mm high. Sporotheca globose, white in the upper
part, brown in the lower third, 0.5–0.6 mm diameter. Stalk
cylindrical, dark brown, smooth or wrinkled, wide at base
where it attaches to substrate 0.2–0.4 mm long x 0.1 mm
wide. Hypothallus continuous under group, black with dirt
particles. Peridium iridescent membrane encrusted with white
CaCO₃; lower third, dark brown, iridescent. Columella small,
dome-shaped. Capillitium white angular or rounded nodes,
with sparse hyaline threads. Spores brown in mass, brown by
transmitted light, warted, 9.5–11 µm. Notes: Keys out to P.
pseudocolumellatum (Poulain et al.)

0600
92

Physarum pusillum (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) G. Lister

Date 4 June 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate dead Clematis aristata
(upslope from track). Description small group of 16 stalked
sporangia, 1.5 mm high. Sporotheca sub-globose, (slightly
flattened at base) 0.4–0.6 mm diameter. Hypothallus discoid
and continuous under group, reddish brown, shiny. Peridium
encrusted with white CaCO₃, red at base where stalk attaches.
Stalk slender in some collections (see below) but stout in
others. Cylindrical or subulate, wrinkled, reddish brown,
darker at base. Capillitium white with white lime nodes.
Spores brown in mass, lighter by transmitted light, warted
with patches of darker warts, 10–12 µm.
Notes common in some years, absent in others; usually found
on dead Clematis aristata and nearby litter.
Easy to identify by its usually sub-globose sporotheca and red
to dark red stalk that widens at the apex where it attaches to
the sporotheca.

21 June 2019 12 May 2019

260
 PHYSARALES 93

Physarum virescens Ditmar

Date 8 Apr. 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (thismia gully).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate decayed (soft, spongy)
stag of fallen dead Eucalyptus obliqua. Description small
groups of crowded and heaped stalked sporangia, appearing
sessile but some stalked. Sporotheca laterally compressed
or misshapen by mutual pressure. Stalk subulate, slightly
wrinkled, brown at base, lighter at apex, 0.4 mm long.
Hypothallus inconspicuous. Peridium encrusted with green
CaCO₃, some crystalline. Capillitium fine yellow calcium
carbonate. Spores dark brown in mass, lighter brown by
transmitted light, warted with patches of darker warts, 8.5–9.5
µm.
Notes Keys out to P. virescens except for the presence of stalks
in some sporangia. Only two collections of this species, both
from the fallen E. obliqua.

21 January 2015

221
94

Physarum viride (Bull) Pers.

Date 27 Sept. 2015. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate moss on strongly
decayed eucalypt log downslope from track.
Description scattered and gregarious stalked sporangia 1.2
mm tall. Sporotheca oblate (flattened spheres), encrusted
with bright yellow calcium carbonate, 0.6 mm diameter.
Stalk longitudinally wrinkled, twisted, brown pale at apex.
Hypothallus inconspicuous. Peridium bright yellow, calcium
carbonate, dehiscence into fragments at the top and petaloid
at the base. Capillitium abundant, sparsely branched, hyaline
threads interspersed with spindle-shaped yellow nodes. Spores
black in mass, brown by transmitted light, warted with groups
of darker warts, 7– 9 µm. Notes usually common on small
and large logs. Identified by the yellow sporotheca, subulate
longitudinally wrinkled stalk and petaloid dehiscence. Faded
sporangia could be confused with P. album.

21 July 2019

MEL381
 PHYSARALES 95

Diderma (possibly) donkii

Date 20 Sept. 2015. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (thismia gully).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate dead Pomaderris apetala
leaf on fallen Acacia melanoxylon. Description scattered and
clustered sessile ± globose sporangia flattened at base but
not widely attached to substrate. Peridium white, eggshell-
like, dehiscence irregular. Columella rounded to flattened,
0.2–0.4 mm diameter, buff. Capillitium remain attached to
the peridium in some sporangia; hyaline in mass, dark brown
by transmitted light with dark fusiform swellings. Capillitial
tips hyaline, either bifurcating or with dark triangular-shaped
ends. Spores chocolate brown in mass, brown by transmitted
light with scattered warts, 9 µm.
Notes: Capillitium with dark brown swellings.

422
96

Diderma aff. effusum (Schw.) Morgan

Date 28 Aug. 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves on the crown
of Dicksonia antarctica. Description gregarious to crowded
sessile subglobose (flattened) creamy-white sporangia and
plasmodiocarps. Sporangia 1 mm diameter; plasmodiocarps
to 3 mm long x 0.3–0.4 mm high. Hypothallus dark, shiny
continuous under group and extending beyond edge of
group. Peridium outer layer fragile, eggshell-like, creamy
white; inner layer membranous, shiny with limy speckles.
Columella pulvinate, limy, covered in ochraceous membrane.
Capillitium attached to inner peridium, white in reflected
light, hyaline in transmitted light, 1.5 µm diameter. Spores
dark brown in mass, brown in transmitted light with scattered
warts, 8–10 µm. Notes Marianne Meyer was unable to
identify this collection.

107
 PHYSARALES 97

Diderma cf. effusum (Schweinitz) Morgan

Date 19 June 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves and twigs fallen
on big tree log. Description scattered flattened circular
sporangia and plasmodiocarps, 1.2–3 mm across x 0.3 mm
high. Pinkish white with brown at base edge. Peridium outer
layer pinkish white, shiny and slightly rugose, cracking, fragile;
inner membranous layer closely adhering, pinkish-brown.
Hypothallus inconspicuous. Columella flat, pinkish brown,
covers base of sporangia or plasmodiocarp. Capillitium
abundant, white in reflected light, hyaline in transmitted
light, some branching. Spores dark brown in mass, brown in
transmitted light, lighter on one side, scattered warts, 10–11
µm. Note Spores too large for this species? and sporangia not
as ‘effused’ as descriptions suggest. Spore feature (i.e. lighter
on one side) is not mentioned in descriptions.

MEL 608
98

Diderma globosum Pers.

Date 30 Oct. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (swamp).
Habitat Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest. Substrate trunk-
of dead Blechnum nudum. Description densely crowded
globose to subglobose (irregularly shaped and angular by
mutual pressure) sporangia, 0.4 mm diameter. Hypothallus
membranous, translucent. Peridium smooth or rugulose,
two closely appressed layers: outer layer white with faint
ochraceous tints; inner layer grey with some crystals.
Columella small. Capillitium slender, branching pale brown
threads with some expansions; branching and pale at tips
Spores black in mass, brown by transmitted light, warted,
9.5–11 µm. Plasmodium thick gelatinous translucent mass
with thin white outer layer that became encrusted with
calcium carbonate; dark initially then white. The plasmodium
of D. spumarioides (p. 100) was seen within weeks of this
observation—see p. 69.

15 November 2019 20 November 2019

MEL774
 PHYSARALES 99

Diderma cf. niveum (Rostaf.) T. Macbrid.

Date 3 Sept. 2016 Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate bryophytes on log.
Description gregarious sub-globose to pulvinate sessile
sporangia (or short plasmodiocarps where sporangia coalesce),
creamy white with some sporangia having dark underside.
Appears stalked but sporangia developed on plant tips.
Hypothallus inconspicuous. Peridium two layers clearly
visible, fragile egg-shell like creamy white outer layer;
inner layer membranous, iridescent, light brown on inside.
Columella globose, brown (note moss appears at apex of
columella). Capillitium abundant, sparsely branched, with
small expansions on some threads, dark brown with hyaline
tips. Spores brown in mass, red brown by transmitted light
with scattered short warts, 9–10 µm. Notes Dr Stephenson
determined D. cf. niveum. ‘several varieties … possibly warrant
being recognized as distinct species.’ Stephenson (2003).
Egg-shell-like peridium and habitat (on bryophytes) make this
species easy to recognise.

4 July 2019 11 July 2019

695
100

Diderma spumarioides (Fries) Fries

Date 2 Oct. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate ground litter.
Description densely crowded sessile sporangia, globose to
elongate, 0.7–1.1 mm diameter, some up to 1.7 mm long;
deeply embedded in hypothallus, white. Hypothallus
continuous under sporangia, thick, white with pale yellow
tints. Peridium outer layer smooth to rugose, densely
calcareous, fragile, white to very pale yellow; inner layer
membranous, iridescent. Dehiscence irregular. Columella
hemispherical, roughened. Capillitium abundant, sparsely
branched with some swellings and anastomosing, brown with
pale, sometimes bifurcating tips. Spores dark brown in mass,
lighter brown by transmitted light, irregularly warted, 10–12
µm. Plasmodium white. Notes According to M&A (1969)
there is confusion about D. globosum, D. crustaceum and D.
spumarioides because of the inadequate description of the type
specimen - and it no longer exists. See p. 71 for images of the
different plasmodia of D. spumarioides and D. globosum.

12 November 2019 13 November 2019

757
 PHYSARALES 101

Diderma cf. subincarnatum Kowalski

Date 1 Sept. 2015. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (thismia gully).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate lichens, moss and
wood on fallen Acacia melanoxylon log. Description crowded
and scattered sessile, globose to sub-globose sporangia,
1.2–1.6 mm diameter, flesh pink, mottled. Hypothallus
inconspicuous, membranous, shiny. Sporotheca globose to
sub-globose sessile, 1.2–1.6 mm, pink. Peridium fragile, pink
with some marbling, layers not conspicuously differentiated,
dehiscence irregular. Columella globose with buff coloured
outer layer, white inside. Capillitium detached from
peridium, dark with white tips by reflected light, brown with
pale ends and some membranous expansions. Spores black
in mass, dark brown in transmitted light, lighter on one side,
densely spinulose, 12–15 µm.
Notes Matches description in Poulain et al. except for larger
size (> 0.5–1 mm) and substrate—on log not leaves.
Common in 2019 on bark of A. melanoxylon.

MEL362
102

Diderma sp. ‘yellow columella’ Pers.

Date 19 Sept. 2018. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate litter in crown of
treefern (Dicksonia antarctica). Description gregarious and
crowded sessile globose, subglobose and pulvinate sporangia
to 1.4 mm diameter, some donut-shaped or plasmodiocarps
to 2.5 mm long. Hypothallus yellow, conspicuous in places.
Peridium outer layer absent?; inner layer membranous,
persistent, grey, iridescent with pink, silver and green
reflections. Columella yellow, conspicuous, dome-shaped
chalky exterior worn away in some sporangia leaving small
peak. Capillitium white in mass, hyaline by transmitted light
branched. Spores dark brown in mass, brown by transmitted
light, 14–15 µm with 0.1 µm spines. Notes Collection #1694
image top right. Collection #1695 (right) was collected from
an adjoining treefern where a thick orange/yellow plasmodium
was active in the litter and on the fern frond. Resembles a
Diderma sp. except for the absence of an outer peridium.

1694 & 1695

 PHYSARALES 103

Didymium cf. applanatum Nann.-Bremek.

Date 22 May 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (Big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate dead Clematis aristata.
Description clustered and scattered stalked sporangia to 0.8
mm high. Sporotheca discoid 0.4–0.5 mm high x 0.8 mm
diameter with a wide umbilicus. Stalk short, widely attached
to the substrate, longitudinal groove with lime crystals, buff
coloured. Hypothallus membranous, shiny. Peridium thin,
membranous and iridescent, covered with flakes of calcium
carbonate, crystals present. Columella absent except for
pale ochraceous basal plate. Capillitium threads branched,
colourless by transmitted light with some swellings. Spores
very dark brown in mass, dark by transmitted light; warted
with groups of darker warts, 12–13 µm. Notes spores darker
and larger than described in Poulain et al.; warts coarser and
more sparse than description in N.E. N-B. Similar to D.
squamulosum (p. 109) but with basal plate rather than dome-
shaped columella. Also, substrate is different.

MEL643
104

Didymum bahiense Gottsb.

Date 25 April 2012. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest: vegetable garden. Substrate stem
of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel). Description scattered to
gregarious stalked sporangia, 1.2 mm high. Sporotheca
subglobose, 0.4–0.6 mm diameter. Stalk slender, subulate,
yellowish brown, darker at base grading to lighter at apex.
Hypothallus discoid or continuous under adjacent sporangia,
yellowish brown. Peridium white crystalline lime, dehiscence
irregular. Columella absent but large pseudocolumella
discoid, white. Capillitium delicate hyaline threads attached
to pseudocolumella and peridium; hyaline to light brown
by transmitted light Spores dark brown in mass, brown by
transmitted light, coarsely warted with clusters of warts,
10 µm. Notes two collections from vegetable garden.
Distinguished by the colour of the tapering stalk, shape of the
sporotheca and white discoid columella.

19 June 2017 (#911) on dead rhubarb and mulch in garden.

676
 PHYSARALES 105

Didymium clavus (Alb. & Schwein.) Rabenh.

Date 6 June 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate stipe of Dicksonia
antarctica. Description scattered to gregarious stalked
sporangia, 0.6–0.7 mm high. Sporotheca lenticular (disc-
shaped), umbilicate where the stalk attaches, 0.7–1.1 mm
diameter x 0.3–0.4 mm high. Stalk tapering upwards,
longitudinally striate, widely attached to sporotheca, dark
brown to black, 0.4–0.5 mm long. Hypothallus discoid or
continuous under groups, black. Peridium membranous,
covered with crystalline CaCO₃, white to greyish. Columella
thickened dome-like base of sporotheca. Capillitium
abundant, delicate, pale brown with some swellings. Spores
dark brown in mass, reddish brown by transmitted light,
faintly warted with groups of darker warts, 6–8 µm. Notes a
distinctive species with black stalk widely attached to the disc-
shaped sporotheca.

25 May 2017 5 June 2019 D. clavus on ground litter, Swamp.

171
106

Didymium melanospermum (Pers.) T. Macbride

Date 27 May 2017. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate litter in Dicksonia
antarctica. Description scattered stalked sporangia, 0.5 wide
x .8 mm high, white; sporangia subglobose umbilicate at base
0.4–0.5 mm diameter. Stalk grooved, widely attached to
substrate, 0.2 mm high, very dark brown. Peridium dark layer
thickly encrusted with white crystalline CaCO₃. Columella
sporangia were hard indicating they were collected too early.
A collection dated 4 May 2011 was checked after sporangia
had been eaten revealing a hemispherical, buff coloured
columella. Capillitium sparsely branched threads with some
dark nodular thickenings. Spores black in mass, dark brown
by transmitted light, 11.5 µm. Notes several collections have
hardened sporothecae.
Easily identified by the dark grooved stalk that is embedded in
the crystalline CaCO₃-encrusted sporotheca­­.

17 June 2018

43
 PHYSARALES 107

Didymium nigripes (Link) Fries

Date 16 Mar. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves fallen on big
tree log. Description scattered stalked sporangia to 1 mm
high. Sporotheca globose to hemispherical, 0.5 mm diameter,
umbilicate at base. Stalk subulate (wider at base), erect or
curved, grooved, 0.7 mm long, black to dark brown, lighter at
top. Hypothallus black, discoid under sporangia. Peridium
encrusted with white stellate CaCO₃ crystals. Columella sub-
globose, brown. Capillitium brown and colourless, occasional
thickenings, sparsely branched. Spores dark brown in mass,
brown by transmitted light, warted with groups of darker
warts, 9 µm.
Notes Common on leaf litter, especially leaves of Pomaderris
apetala. Usually appears

28 December 2018

MEL400
108

Didymium serpula Fries

Date 5 March 2019. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaf litter on ‘big tree’
log. Description several very thin sessile plasmodiocaps of
variable size and shape, up to 11 mm diameter, grey. Peridium
membranous, iridescent with plump crystals of CaCO₃.
Capillitium thin tubules, some with small dark swellings,
connected to large vesicles the same colour as the spores.
Spores brown in mass, paler by transmitted light, covered in
fine warts, very variable in size, 7-11 µm. Notes The same
species was collected from the same location 31 May 2017
and misidentified Diderma saundersii. In 2019 D. serpula
was observed at two locations (near Dicksonia downslope
from bedfordia hill & upper gully mossy log) at the brightly
coloured plasmodial stage. Their locations were flagged and
the fruiting bodies collected when mature.

14 June 2019. Didymium serpula developing on ground litter.

1834
 PHYSARALES 109

Didymium squamulosum (Alb. & Schwein) Fries

Date 9 June 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves, twigs and base
of live stipe of Dicksonia antarctica. Description scattered
stalked sporangia 0.6–1 mm high, white. Sporotheca
subglobose to hemispherical (flat at base), deeply umbilicate,
0.4-0.5 mm high x 0.6 mm diameter. Stalk white with pink/
yellow tints, fluted, tapering upwards and deeply embedded
in sporotheca. Hypothallus discoid, membranous. Peridium
white with calcareous lime crystals, some stellate. Columella
dome shaped, concolourous with stalk. Capillitium white in
reflected light, colourless in transmitted light, some branching.
Spores dark brown in mass, dark brown in transmitted light,
warted with groups of darker warts, 9–10.5 µm.
Notes very common from April until June on litter on
the ground, logs or on the crown and fronds of Dicksonia
antarctica.

5 June 2019 2 June 2019

MEL325
110

Key to the Families of the Stemonitidales

A single family: Stemonitidaceae

Key to Genera

1. Fruiting body a pseudoaethalium of partly merged sporangia Symphytocarpus (p. 113)

1. Fruiting body a stalked or sessile sporangium 2
a. Wax present in stalked sporangia Elaeomyxa (p. 111)

2. Fruiting body sessile 3

2. Fruiting body stalked 4

3. Peridium of two layers; the outer layer gelatinous when wet Colloderma (p. 114)
3. Peridium of single layer, membranous and iridescent Paradiachea (p. 115)

4. Stalk tubular and hollow throughout, no evidence of fibres 5

4. Stalk more or less solid, with interlaced longitudinal fibres 7

5. Fruiting body minute (<0.5 mm tall), capillitium sparse Macbrideola (p. 116)
5. Fruiting body larger (>0.5 mm tall), capillitium abundant 6

6. Columella expanded at apex into a membranous disc to which the capillitium is attached Enerthenema (p. 128)
6. Columella not expanded at apex Stemonitis (p. 142)

7. Peridium persisting in mature sporangia, usually iridescent Lamproderma (p. 122)

7. Peridium not persisting in mature fruiting bodies 8

8. Capillitium sparse, hardly or not anastomosing Paradiacheopsis (p. 119)

8. Capillitium usually abundant, anastomosing 9

9. Sporotheca cylindrical, outermost branches of capillitium give rise to delicate external network of anastomosing threads
(surface net) over at least the lower portion Stemonitopsis (p. 148)
9. Sporotheca usually globose, or ovate or short-cylindrical, little or no surface net 10

10. Sporotheca globose with a remnant of the peridium persisting as a collar at the base Collaria (not at BSL)
10. Sporotheca usually ovate to short cylindrical, no collar at the base Comatricha (p. 129)
 STEMONITIDALES 111

Elaeomyxa cerifera (G. Lister) Hagelst.

Date 10 Oct. 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate moss on ‘big tree’ log.
Description gregarious and crowded stalked sporangia, 2 mm
high. Sporotheca sub-globose, 0.6 mm high x 0.8 mm wide.
Stalk granular, 0.7 mm long, black; dark waxy ‘collar’ at top
of stem is bright yellow in young sporangia. Hypothallus
continuous under group, thick, dark brown to black.
Peridium membranous, iridescent with green, blue, purple
and golden reflections; dehisces into triangular ‘pennants’.
Capillitium straight with some branching, purplish
brown, white at tips. Spores dark brown in mass, lighter
by transmitted light with sparse irregular spines, 10–10.5
µm. Notes This species is very common most years on large
bryophyte-covered logs. Easy to recognise by its stout, parallel-
sided stalk; collar of varying colour depending on age; and
iridescent peridium that usually splits into triangular pennants
in mature sporangia.

26 September 2019 7 June 2019

224
112

Elaeomyxa reticulospora (Gilert) G. Moreno, H. Singer & S. L. Stephenson

Date 15 June 2014 Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate ground litter.
Description stalked sporangia 1.1–1.5 high. Sporotheca
globose 0.3–0.5 mm in diameter. Stalk dark black/brown,
ridged, subulate. Hypothallus discoid, or connecting
sporangia; thick black center with reddish brown margins.
Peridium iridescent with darker spots but overlain with
oily/waxy patches of either dark yellow globules or lighter
yellow circular patches. Columella reaches to approximately
one third of sporotheca. Capillitium brownish yellow,
with reddish-brown oil-filled swellings. Spores brown in
mass, lighter by transmitted light, reticulate, 11–12 µm.
Plasmodium yellow or greenish-yellow.
Determined by Professor Gabriel Moreno
Notes Very common at Black Sugarloaf and collected
elsewhere (Liffey & Minnow River).

12 June 2017

18 June 2019 18 June 2019

141
 STEMONITIDALES 113

Symphytocarpus flaccidus (Lister) Ing & Nann.­-Bremek.

Date 24 Nov. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate bark of E. delegatensis
felled in 2014. Description five scattered pseudoaethalia, the
largest 10 cm long x 6 cm wide x 4–5 mm high. Composed
of closely packed, sessile sporangia, bright rusty brown at
first, changing to red brown, 0.5 mm diameter. Hypothallus
membranous, silvery. Peridium persisting as irregularly shaped
plates. Columella hollow, irregular, red by transmitted light.
Capillitium wide-meshed net, free ends. Spores red brown in
mass, pale by transmitted light, minutely warted, 7.5–9 µm.
Plasmodium pale yellow.
Notes First record for Black Sugarloaf. No records for
Australia according to the AVH and ALA. However, Mitchell
(1995) cites a record: ‘NSW Canberra, Fraser (1933)’.
(Collection returned from MEL - Sporogeddon!)

782
114

Colloderma robustum Meylan

Date 24 Aug. 2012. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate fire-blackened stump.
Description sessile subglobose sporangia 0.9 mm diameter, or
short plasmodiocarps, 1.6 long x 0.6 mm diameter.
Peridium sporangia embedded in a gelatinous layer when first
collected. Base of sporangia relatively thick, brown (immature
sporangia brown, rugulose); upper surface membranous,
iridescent with purple, green and blue reflections; dehiscence
irregular. Capillitium thin threads radiating from base and
connected to the peridium, colourless by reflected light; brown
in transmitted light with some swellings and colourless and
sparsely branching tips. Spores black in mass, dark brown by
transmitted light, spiny, 15–17 µm. Notes Found on old logs
and stumps. Sessile iridescent plasmodiocarps/sporangia make
this species easy to recognise.

19 July 2019

MEL SJL45
 STEMONITIDALES 115

Paradiachea caespitosa (Sturgis) Hertel ex H. Neubert, Nowotny & K. Baumann

Date 27 Dec. 2013. Black Sugarloaf (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate leafy liverwort on
large eucalypt ‘big tree’ stump. Description densely crowded,
sessile, cylindrical to clavate (club-shaped) sporangia, 1.5 mm
high. Sporotheca 0.3 mm diameter at base; 0.5 mm diameter
at apex. Hypothallus continuous under group, conspicuous,
thick, yellow-brown. Peridium delicate but mostly persistent,
iridescent with golden, blue and purple reflections. Columella
reaches to near the apex of the sporotheca, brittle, light
brown with woody appearance. Capillitium attached along
full length of columella, sparsely branching, bifurcating
at tips; reddish brown with lighter tips. Spores brown in
mass, paler by transmitted light, coarsely warted, 10–13 µm.
Plasmodium creamy white. Det Dr. Gabriel Moreno. Notes
common; collected most years in the warmer months.

16 November 2017 31 December 2016

MEL283
116

Macbrideola argentea Nann.-Bremek.& Y. Yamam.

Date 30 March 2013. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (swamp).
Habitat Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest. Substrate
eucalypt log. Description tiny stalked sporangia scattered
among fruiting bodies of Physarum viride, 0.6–0.8 mm
high. Sporotheca globose, 0.15–0.2 mm diameter. Stalk
approximately ¾ height of sporotheca, black by reflected light,
reddish brown by transmitted light. Peridium persistent and
iridescent in some sporangia with blue and golden reflections;
dehiscence irregular leaving small collar at base of sporotheca.
Columella reaches approximately ⅓ of sporotheca where it
branches. Capillitium branches from columella, tapering
ends. Spores dark brown in mass, light brown by transmitted
light, warted with patches of darker warts, 6–9.5 µm. Notes
keys out to this species in Poulain et al. (p. 492).

MEL 273 0781

 STEMONITIDALES 117

?Macbrideola sp. H.C. Gilbert

Date 30 Aug. 2018. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate dead fronds of
fishbone waterfern Blechnum nudum. Description extensive
fruiting of stalked sporangia to 1.2 mm high. Sporotheca
globose, brown, 0.4 mm diameter. Stalk black in reflected
light, reddish brown by transmitted light, longitudinally
striate but not netted at the base. Hypothallus conspicuous,
discoid, reddish brown. Peridium iridescent membrane
sometimes persists in small flakes or as a collar at the base
of the sporotheca. Columella reaches to about the centre of
the sporotheca from which arises several strong capillitial
threads which divide several times before periphery; reddish
brown, lighter with often bifurcating tips; remain attached
to the membranous collar. Spores brown in mass, light by
transmitted light, sparsely and minutely spiny, 8 µm. Notes
several collections on leaves in 2016 and 2018.

1693
118

?Macbrideola H.C. Gilbert

Date 18 June 2018. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate dead Clematis aristata.
Description small scattered groups of stalked globose to ovate,
sporangia to 1.2 mm high. Sporotheca globose to ovate,
0.6–0.9 mm diameter, salmon pink. Stalk 0.4–0.5 mm long,
i.e. slightly less then ½ length of sporangia, reddish brown,
shiny, wider and with reticulate fibres at base. Hypothallus
conspicuous, red–yellowish brown, discoid under solitary
sporangia, continuous under groups Peridium slight
iridescence in newly formed sporangia, fugacious. Columella
exceeds length of sporotheca, reddish by transmitted light,
longitudinally striate. Capillitium sparse, attached along
length of columella, 2 µm with thickenings. Spores salmon
pink in mass, pale by transmitted light. Spiny with groups
of darker spines, 9–10 µm. Notes A distinctive species first
observed in May 2014 on dead Clematis aristata.
Fibrous stalk base precludes Macbrideola?

13 June 2019 Collection #1907

1627
 STEMONITIDALES 119

Paradiacheopsis rigida (Brandza) Nann.-Bremek.

Date: 27 April 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (thismia gully).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate stag of fallen Eucalyptus
obliqua. Description scattered or gregarious stalked sporangia,
1–1.5 mm high. Sporotheca ovoid to globose, dark brown,
0.3–0.6 mm diameter. Stalk subulate, black; fibrous, red
brown and netted at base by transmitted light, 0.6–0.8 mm.
Hypothallus discoid, membranous shiny. Peridium fugacious
except for a collar at the top of the stalk. Columella extends
to approximately ⅔ up sporotheca where it divides into 2–3
strong horizontal threads that form the main branches of
the capillitium. Capillitium attached along full length of
columella, fragmented surface net with free ends; remains
intact after dehiscence. Spores dark brown in mass, light
brown by transmitted light, minutely warted, 8–10 µm.
Notes: First collected on 14 April 2014, small groups
appeared after each bout of rain until 6 June 2014.
Keys out to P. rigida in Poulain et al. (2011).

0182
120

Paradiacheopsis sp. Hertel

Date 19 Nov. 2012. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate eucalypt bark in vegetable
garden. Description scattered stalked sporangia 0.9–1.7
mm high. Sporotheca globose, 0.1–0.3 mm diameter.
Stalk shiny, black, approximately ¾ of total height; reddish
brown and fibrous (not netted) at base by transmitted light.
Hypothallus discoid, reddish brown. Peridium persistent in
some sporangia, iridescent with blue and golden reflections,
dehiscence irregular leaving small collar at base of sporotheca.
Columella reaches to about ½ of sporotheca where it divides
into several strong branches. Capillitium relatively abundant,
thick where it joins columella, branching and becoming
thinner at periphery, some swellings. Spores dark brown in
mass, light brown by transmitted light, warted with groups
of darker warts, 8–9 µm. Notes spores similar to Macbrideola
argentea but fibrous base of stalk is not characteristic of
Macbrideola spp. (see M. argentea p.116).

0780
 STEMONITIDALES 121

Paradiacheopsis sp. Hertel

Date 12 June 2018. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate white resupinate
fibrillose fungus on leaning small dead eucalypt. Description
scattered, stalked sporangia, 1.2–1.8 mm high. Sporotheca
globose, mid brown, 0.3 mm diameter. Stalk tapering at apex
from a wide base, covered with hyaline membrane, black by
reflected light, brown with intertwined fibers seen by TL,
0.9–1.5 mm long. Hypothallus yellowish and discoid on
the wood; inconspicuous elsewhere. Peridium fugacious
Columella reaches about the centre of the sporotheca where
it branches into the sparse brown Capillitium that is lighter
and divided at tips, 2–3 µm wide. Spores brown in mass,
lighter by transmitted light, minutely spinulose, 8–10 µm.
Notes fresh fruiting bodies appeared on the fungus and wood
after bouts of rain. Last collection dated 16 July 2018; fresh
sporangia appeared on 1 August 2018. Stalk too short for P.
longipes.

1631
122

Lamproderma echinulatum (Berk.) Rostaf.

Date 21 Sept. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate moss and wood
(mostly moss) on large, bryophyte-covered eucalypt log.
Description extensive colony of gregarious and crowded
stalked sporangia, 2–3.5 mm high. Sporotheca globose to
sub-globose, 0.9–1.2 mm diameter. Hypothallus contiguous
under groups or discoid under single sporangium, dark
brown. Stalk subulate (wider at base), black, 1.4–1.7 mm
long. Peridium membranous, persistent, iridescent with
purple, blue, green and golden reflections; dehiscence
irregular. Columella reaches approximately the centre of
sporangia, cylindrical, rounded at apex. Capillitium arises
from full length of columella, branched and anastomosing
with perforations, light brown, colourless at tips. Spores dark
brown in mass, brown by transmitted light with prominent
spines, 15–16 µm. Notes common at Black Sugarloaf where it
often forms extensive colonies. Larger than L. muscorum and
with a less intense blue peridium.

November 2018

721
 STEMONITIDALES 123

Lamproderma elasticum Nann.-Bremek.& Bozonnet

Date 22 Sept. 2013. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track)
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate moss on old mossy log
upslope from track. Description scattered iridescent stalked
sporangia 1.1 mm from base of stalk to top of capillitium (the
sporangia had dehisced). Peridium membranous, iridescent,
remaining as a small collar at base of sporotheca. Some
collections have brown peridium; others are blue. Columella
extends about ½ sporotheca, round at apex. Capillitium
sparse, straight, simple and sometimes bifurcating threads
arising from the rounded tip of the columella and easily falling
away; brown, lighter at tips. Stalk black, 0.8 mm long. Spores
dark brown in mass, lighter by transmitted light, warted with
patches of darker warts, 10 µm. Notes two collections prior
to 2016. Appeared in several locations in September 2016,
usually in small groups of 2–4 sporangia with the largest group
being #724. Much smaller than other Lamproderma species.

24 September 2016

386
124

Lamproderma cf. muscorum (Lév.) Hagelst.

Date 24 June 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate decayed wood on
ground. Description several scattered stalked sporangia
1–1.6 mm high. Sporotheca subglobose (wider than high)
0.8–0.9 mm wide. Stalk approximately ½ height of sporangia,
slightly grooved, wider at base, shiny, black. Hypothallus
contiguous under groups or discoid, thick, black with a
silvery sheen. Peridium delicate, breaks in irregular flakes
and persists at base of sporotheca. Iridescent with golden and
blue reflections. Columella reaches to approximately ¼ of
sporotheca, rounded at tip. Capillitium arises mainly from
tip of columella, simple, branching and some anastomosing,
brown with branched pale free tips. Spores dark brown in
mass, brown by transmitted light with short spines, 14–15
µm. Plasmodium white. Notes stalk longer than description
in Poulain et al, and substrate is wood not moss although
most collections are from moss. More intense blue than other
Lamproderma spp. and smaller than L. echinulatum.

172
 STEMONITIDALES 125

Lamproderma ‘obovoid’
Date 2 Sept. 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate moss and wood on
log. Description gregarious stalked sporangia, 2.5–3 mm
high. Sporotheca ovoid, 1.2 mm long x 0.6 mm at widest
point. Stalk slightly more than half total length of sporangia,
subulate, cylindrical or flattened and triangular at base, 1.5
mm, black, shiny. Hypothallus continuous under group,
conspicuous, reddish brown. Peridium fragile but persistent,
especially lower part which is slightly plicate; iridescent with
blue, purple, green and golden reflections. Columella reaches
about ⅞ height of sporotheca. Capillitium attached along
length of columella, abundant with membranous expansions,
dark to light brown; large and small meshed surface net
with lots of free ends. Spores black in mass, dark brown
by transmitted light, spiny, (16–)17(–20) µm. Notes very
common in 2019 with extensive fruitings on bryophyte-
covered logs. Similar to L. ovoideum which is part of a species
complex (Stephenson (2003).

16 July 2019

134
126

Lamproderma scintillans (Berk. and Broome) Morgan

Date 10 July 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate base of dead raspberry
canes in vegetable garden. Description scattered and
gregarious stalked sporangia 1.1–1.2 mm high. Sporotheca
globose, 0.6 mm diameter. Stalk black, fibrous, flared at
base, 0.5 mm long. Hypothallus contiguous under groups
or discoid, conspicuous, red brown. Peridium fugacious
leaving small iridescent patches with blue, purple and silver
reflections. Columella reaches < ½ height of sporotheca,
slightly rounded at apex. Capillitium arises from tip of
columella, simple, retains shape after dehiscence; threads
light near columella and dark at ends. Spores dark brown in
mass, paler by transmitted light with sparse warts, 7–9 µm.
Notes Keys out to this species in NE.N-B, Poulain et al. &
Stephenson (2003) except stalk is shorter than descriptions.

647
 STEMONITIDALES 127

Lamproderma ‘umbilicatum’ sp. nov.

Date 17 July 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate large eucalypt stump.
Description scattered and crowded stalked sporangia 1.6–2.6
mm. Sporotheca globose to subglobose, 0.6–1 mm diam.,
umbilicate at base, mid brown. Stalk grooved, twisted in some
sporangia, subulate, black, 0.9–1.4 mm long. Hypothallus
thick, red brown, continuous under groups, discoid under
solitary sporangium. Peridium membranous, splitting
irregularly and persisting as cup at base of sporotheca; shiny
brown with some iridescence in the upper part; slightly
pleated, not shiny around stalk attachment. Columella
reaches approximately ½ the sporotheca, rounded at tip.
Capillitium arises from full length of columella, some
branching and anastomoses, tips branched and some firmly
attached to the peridium, brown with paler tips. Spores in
mass olivaceous in fresh specimens gradually becoming brown,
light brown by transmitted light with scattered spines (or
warts) with groups of darker warts, 11.5–12 um. Plasmodium
yellow. Notes Common most years.

20 July 2019 L. ‘umbilicatum’ developing on eucalypt stump

666
128

Enerthenema papillatum (Pers.) Rostaf.

Date 28 April 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (swamp).
Habitat Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest. Substrate underside
of fallen Acacia melanxylon log. Description scattered stalked
sporangia 0.8 mm tall. Sporotheca globose, dark brown
except for small shiny apical disc to which the capillitium
is attached, 0.5 mm diameter. Stalk fibrous, slightly wider
at base, grooved. Hypothallus membranous, discoid, light
brown. Peridium fugacious. Columella extending to apex of
sporangium ending in a small shiny disc. Capillitium long
dark threads connected to and descending from apical disc,
scantily branched, with spines and rounded protuberances.
Spores dark brown in mass, lighter brown by transmitted light
with small scattered warts, 10 µm. Notes very common in
some years, e.g. 2014 & 2016; possibly overlooked because of
its small size. All collections from April and May.

304
 STEMONITIDALES 129

Comatricha alta Preuss

Date 26 Jul. & 2 Aug. 2014. Black Sugarloaf (thismia gully).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate bark of dead fallen
Eucalyptus obliqua. Description gregarious stalked sporangia
to 7 mm high. Sporotheca ovate to short cylindric, brown,
0.8 mm long. Hypothallus contiguous under groups, yellow
brown. Stalk long, subulate, black; fibrous and reticulate at
base by transmitted light. Peridium fugacious. Columella
extending to apex of sporotheca, slightly widened at apex.
Capillitium attached along length of columella eventually
forming a plume, looped with some free swollen ends, brown,
1 µm wide. Spores: dark brown in mass, brown by transmitted
light, warted, 9 µm.
Notes Small groups first appeared in early April 2014 followed
by new clusters of sporangia after each bout of rain. By mid
July there were sporangia at various stages of maturity within
about 1 metre of each other.
Collection #377 (20 Sept. 2015) was lodged at MEL.

0008 & 0009

130

Comatricha cf. alta Preuss

Date 14 July 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat: Open Eucalypt forest. Substrate: Bark of log, fire
wood pile. Description: Group of stalked sporangia to 5.5
mm high, brown. Sporotheca cylindrical, 1.3–1.8 mm long
x 0.6–0.7 mm wide. Stalk black, shiny, 1.2–3.5 mm long
(longer than length of sporotheca), reddish by transmitted
light, netted and fibrous at base. Hypothallus contiguous
under groups, membranous, dark brown. Columella reaches
⅔ length of sporotheca where it branches. Capillitium
attached at right angles along full length of columella (not
just at base); internal net branched; looped at surface with
swollen free ends, upper part of capillitium falling away from
columella. Spores: Brown in mass, lighter by transmitted
light, finely warted with pale germination area, 10–11 µm.
Notes spores larger than descriptions in Stephenson (2003)
and N.E. N-B, but same as in Poulain et al. #506.

663
 STEMONITIDALES 131

Comatricha aff. anomala Rammeloo

Date 1 Feb. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate standing dead small
eucalypt. Description two groups (37 & 3) of gregarious
short stalked sporangia to 1.1 mm high. Sporangia sub-
cylindrical to ovate, rounded at apex and base, 0.8 mm long,
dark brown. Stalk black, grooved, wider where it attaches to
substrate, 0.3 mm. Hypothallus contiguous under groups,
membranous, shiny. Peridium fugacious. Columella reaches
to near apex of columella where it branches, translucent red by
transmitted light. Capillitium sparse, attached at right angles
along length of columella; dark near columella, lighter at tips.
Spores dark brown in mass, lighter brown in transmitted
light, warted with patches of darker warts, 11–12 µm.
Notes Spores too large for C. anomala. (Poulain et al. #516).

494
132

Comatricha brachypus (Meyl.) Meyl.

Date 18 July 2018. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track)
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate bark on the underside
of Eucalyptus obliqua that fell in May 2018. Description
several groups, each cluster of 6–20 dark brown sporangia to
1.5 mm high. Sporotheca dark brown, ellipsoid, rounded
at ends, 1 mm long. Stalk black, hollow, widely attached to
substrate, tapering at apex; reddish brown by transmitted
light, fibrous and netted at base. Hypothallus brown, discoid
under sporangia; membranous, not conspicuous elsewhere.
Peridium evanescent. Columella reaches the apex of the
sporotheca where it curves in some sporangia, branches in
others; red translucent by transmitted light. Capillitium
sparse, red brown, attached along length of columella,
fragmented surface net with numerous thin, curved free ends.
Spores dark brown in mass, red brown by transmitted light,
minutely spinulose, 9–12 µm (some larger)
Notes Keys out to C. brachypus in Poulain et al.

MEL 1656
 STEMONITIDALES 133

Comatricha elegans (Racib) G. Lister

Date 15 June 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (swamp).
Habitat Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest. Substrate outer
shell of decorticated Acacia melanoxylon log.
Description gregarious stalked sporangia, 1.5–1.7 mm high.
Sporotheca globose, brown, 0.3–0.6 mm diameter.
Stalk subulate, black, 1.2–1.4 mm long, fibrous at base.
Hypothallus inconspicuous. Peridium fugacious. Columella
short, divides just above stalk apex into several branches that
give rise to the capillitium. Capillitium loose, slender. Spores
brown in mass, light brown by transmitted light with lighter
germination area, minutely warted, 9 µm. Notes This species
appeared several times in masses covering about 120 mm x
100 mm on the northern side of log. Other species collected
from the log include Arcyria sp., Physarum viride, P. nutans,
Badhamia utricularis, P. album, Diderma sp. and Trichia sp.

MEL328
134

Comatricha aff. ellae Harkonen

Date 29 June 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate eucalypt log (firewood
pile). Description scattered stalked ovoid sporangia 1.3–
1.5(2) mm high x 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Sporotheca ovoid,
brown 0.5–0.7 mm high x 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Stalk subulate,
about half the height of the sporangia, black, 0.7–0.9 mm;
fibrous and netted at base. Hypothallus discoid, yellow
brown. Peridium fugacious except for collar at stalk apex.
Columella reaches about ⅞ of sporotheca where it divides
into several strong branches. Capillitium sparse, attached
along full length of columella; large-meshed surface net
with some free ends. Spores dark brown in mass, brown by
transmitted light, warted, 7.5–9 µm. Notes: Keys out to C.
ellae in Poulain et al. and N.E.-N.-B. except for ovoid rather
than globose sporangia. C. laxa is a similar (and very variable)
species but it lacks a surface net and its stalk is usually less
than half the total height of sporangia.

634
 STEMONITIDALES 135

Comatricha nigra (Pers. ex J.F. Gmel.) J. Schröt.

Date: Sept. 2013. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (swamp).
Habitat Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest.
Substrate upturned roots of Acacia melanoxylon.
Description several groups of gregarious stalked sporangia,
brown, 2.3–3.6 mm high. Sporotheca globose to sub-globose,
0.4–0.5 mm diameter. Stalk up to eight times diameter
of sporotheca, subulate, black; reddish brown, fibrous and
netted at base by transmitted light. Hypothallus discoid or
continuous under groups, membranous, conspicuous, reddish
brown and silvery. Peridium fugacious. Columella reaches
just above the middle of the sporotheca where it merges into
capillitium. Capillitium slender network of branching threads
with free slightly swollen tips. Spores dark brown in mass,
brown by transmitted light with lighter germination area,
minutely warted, 9–10 µm.
Notes Common on dead wood.

791
136

Comatricha pulchella (C. Bab.) Rostaf.

Date 30 May 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat closed wet Eucalypt forest. Substrate leaf in litter
accumulated among fronds of Dicksonia antarctica.
Description scattered to gregarious stalked brown sporangia
0.8–1.2 mm high. Sporotheca ovate to sub-cylindrical, light
brown, 0.6 x 0.4–0.6 mm diameter. Stalk ≤ half height of
sporotheca, black in reflected light, reddish by transmitted
light, 0.5–0.6 mm long. Hypothallus discoid, conspicuous,
reddish brown. Peridium fugacious. Columella gradually
tapering, almost reaches the top of the sporotheca where
it merges into capillitium. Capillitium abundant, brown,
perpendicular to columella, anastomosing, with free ends.
Spores brown in mass, reddish brown by transmitted light,
warted, most 7.5 µm, a few much larger.
Notes Keys out to C. pulchella in N.E. N.-B. (1991).

MEL323
 STEMONITIDALES 137

Comatricha aff. rigidireta Nann.-Bremek

Date 9 Sept. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate Eucalypt bark, firewood
pile. Description several scattered groups of gregarious stalked
sporangia, 1–2 mm high. Sporotheca globose to sub-globose,
0.5–0.8 mm diameter, dark brown. Stalk subulate (widely
attached to substrate), flattened, 1.2–1.3 mm long, black; base
reddish brown and fibrous in transmitted light. Hypothallus
continuous under groups, membranous, reddish brown.
Peridium fugacious. Columella reaches about the centre of
the sporotheca where it ends abruptly. Capillitium attached
along columella, the threads simple, sparsely branching and
anastomosing with numerous free ends. Spores dark brown in
mass, light brown in transmitted light with pale germination
area, sparsely warted, 11–12(-14) µm. Notes spores similar to
C. rigidireta but it has a shorter stalk and the capillitium lacks
the surface net characteristic of the species. Ref: Poulain et al.
2011.

MEL776
138

Comatricha aff. rubens Lister

Date 13 July 2017. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat closed wet Eucalypt forest. Substrate bryophytes
on log on ground. Description gregarious stalked sporangia
to 1.8 mm high. Sporotheca ovoid (slightly higher than
wide) 0.9 mm long. Stalk subulate, about ½ total height
of the sporangia, black in reflected light, translucent red
by transmitted light, fibrous, 0.9 mm long. Hypothallus
conspicuous, black. Peridium fugacious except for small shiny
calyculus that persists at the base of the sporangia. Columella
reaches to approximately ½ the sporangia, rounded.
Capillitium attached along full length of columella and to
the peridium fragment that remains attached to the stem;
membranous expansions near columella; thin brown threads
with some small nodules; free ends at periphery. Spores
pinkish brown in mass, reddish brown by transmitted light
with light areas, minutely spinulose, 9–10 µm.
Notes has affinities to C. rubens except spores are larger than
7–8 µm (Poulain et al.)

MEL924
 STEMONITIDALES 139

Comatricha aff. rutilipedata H. Marx.

Date 28 June 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (Bedfordia hill)
Habitat closed wet Eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves
accumulated in Dicksonia antarctica. Description scattered
stalked sub-globose to short-cylindric sporangia, light brown,
1.1–1.7 mm high x 0.5–0.6 mm wide. Hypothallus discoid,
translucent yellowish brown. Peridium fugacious leaving
small collar at base of sporotheca. Stalk bvlack shiny wider at
base, reddish at base in some sporangia conspicuous with light
microscope and by transmitted light. Columella reaches to
near the apex of sporotheca. Capillitium abundant, looped at
surface, free ends at periphery. Spores: Light brown in mass,
pale by transmitted light with sparsely scattered spines, 6–7.5
µm.
Notes: Keys out to C. rutilipedata in Poulain et al. except the
capillitium is firmly attached to columella.

MEL619
140

Comatricha subalpina M.L. Farr & S.L. Stephenson

Date 28 June 2016. Black Sugarloaf (big tree track downslope
from Bedfordia hill). Habitat closed wet Eucalypt forest.
Substrate twig fallen among fronds of Dicksonia antarctica.
Description small group of dark brown stalked sporangia
1–1.7 mm high. Sporotheca subglobose to ovoid, 0.6 high
x 0.5 mm wide. Stalk black, shiny, slightly flared at base,
about half the length of sporangia; reddish brown and fibrous
at base by transmitted light. Peridium fugacious except for
apex and base of sporotheca. Columella reaches to the apex
of sporotheca, gradually tapering upwards with membranous
expansion at apex. Capillitium attached along full length
of columella, brown, lighter at tips; warts, small rods and
wrinkles at tips. Spores brown with sinuous reticulate pattern,
6.5–7.5 µm.
Notes: Keys out to C. subalpina Poulain et al. (2011) except
membranous expansion at apex of columella is not mentioned.
Also collected from ground litter, June 2014 (MEL# 320).

623
 STEMONITIDALES 141

Comatricha vineatilis Nann.-Bremek.

Date 26 June 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat: Eucalypt forest. Substrate bark of log on firewood
pile. Description small group of stalked sporangia, 1–1.5
mm high. Sporotheca ovoid to sub-cylindrical (pointed at
apex; rounded at base), dark brown, 0.7–1.1 mm. Stalk black,
subulate, 0.3–0.4 mm long. Peridium fugacious. Columella
reaches to apex of sporotheca where it tapers to a fine point.
Capillitium sparse, very dark brown with some branching
and protuberances. Spores dark brown in mass, brown by
transmitted light, warted with clusters of darker warts forming
a ± reticulate pattern, 9–10.5 µm.
Notes: Numerous small groups of Comatricha spp. (or
Paradiacheopsis spp.) of various species were collected in 2016
on logs stacked for firewood. This collection was in poor
condition. According to Stephenson(2003) this and other
species of Comatricha are associated with the bark of living
trees and are often found in moist chamber cultures.

659
142

Stemonitis axifera (Bull.) Macbr.

Date 2 Jan. 2017. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate eucalypt log, firewood pile.
Description several tufts of stalked erect sporangia, 5–7 mm
high. Sporotheca cylindrical, 4–5 mm long x 0.3–0.4 mm
diameter, bright rusty brown. Stalk black, smooth, shiny,
1.5–2 mm long. Hypothallus contiguous under groups of
sporangia, membranous, shiny, brown. Peridium fugacious
Columella reaching apex of sporotheca, wavy in upper part.
Capillitium internal net with 3 meshes across radius; surface
net with large and small meshes and no free ends. Spores
bright rusty brown in mass (freshly collected specimen),
almost colourless by transmitted light, faintly warted, 6–7 µm.
Notes Common species at Black Sugarloaf most years.

813
 STEMONITIDALES 143

Stemonitis flavogenita E. Jahn

Date 27 April 2014. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track)
Habitat Closed wet Eucalypt forest. Substrate underside of
fallen Pomaderris apetala. Description several tufts of stalked
reddish brown sporangia 6.6–7.4 mm high. Sporotheca
cylindrical, 3.3 mm long x 0.3–0.5 mm diameter. Stalk shiny,
black, ≤ half length of sporangia. Hypothallus contiguous
under group, membranous, reddish to black. Peridium
fugacious. Columella reaches near the apex of sporotheca;
membranous expansion at apex. Capillitium sparse internal
net with some membranous expansions; surface net of large
and small meshes with occasional very small spines. Spores
brown in mass, rich brown lighter by transmitted light,
warted, 6–7 µm.

217
144

Stemonitis fusca Roth

Date 20 Nov. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate decayed Pomaderris
apetala on the ground. Description several clusters of
crowded stalked fuscous brown sporangia 6–9 mm high.
Sporotheca cylindrical, erect and drooping, fuscous brown,
0.4 mm diameter. Stalk back, shiny, < ⅓ height of sporangia.
Hypothallus contiguous under group, membranous,
colourless. Peridium fugacious. Columella reaches to almost
the apex of sporotheca. Capillitium arises from full length
of columella, 2–3 meshes between columella and periphery,
membranous expansions; surface net of thin threads with
small angular meshes. Spores brown in mass, reticulate, 7.5–9
µm. Notes common at Black Sugarloaf most years.

779
 STEMONITIDALES 145

Stemonitis herbatica Peck

Date 5 Jan. 2017. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate leaves and ground litter.
Description several tufts of stalked sporangia, 3.5–4.5
mm high, dark brown. Sporotheca cylindrical, Stalk
approximately ¼ length of sporangia, black and shiny
in reflected light, red and hollow by transmitted light.
Hypothallus contiguous under group, brown, silvery.
Peridium fugacious. Columella reaches to near the top of
the sporotheca, wavy in the upper part. Capillitium sparse
internal net; fragmented large and small meshed surface net
with short spines. Spores reddish brown in mass, reddish
brown by transmitted light, uniformly warted, 8–9 µm.
Notes Several dense clusters of small sporangia (unlike any
other collection) resemble the illustration in Poulain et al. as
does the internal net. Substrate on ground litter rather than
wood is right.

821
146

Stemonitis splendens Rostaf.

Date 13 Dec. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate bark of dead Banksia
marginata Description large tufts of cylindrical sporangia,
60 mm & 80 mm wide x 7–12 mm high, reddish brown.
Stalk 2–5 mm long, black and shiny; red in transmitted
light, hollow. Hypothallus contiguous under group, silvery,
shiny. Peridium fugacious. Columella almost reaches apex of
sporangia. Capillitium internal net sparse, surface net of large
and small meshes. Spores reddish brown in mass when fresh
but turning dark brown when mature, brown in transmitted
light, distinctly punctate, 8–9 µm. Plasmodium white.
Notes appeared on the same dead Banskia marginata in 2019
(see photo right).

788
 STEMONITIDALES 147

Stemonitis virginiensis Rex

Date 1 March 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat eucalypt forest. Substrate eucalypt log, firewood pile.
Description Several scattered groups of stalked sporangia
to 2.5 mm high (most sporangia 2 mm high). Sporotheca
cylindrical, erect, violet brown, 1.6 mm long x 0.3 mm
diameter. Stalk black, about ⅓ the length of sporangia,
translucent red by transmitted light. Hypothallus contiguous
under group, reddish brown. Peridium fugacious Columella
reaches the apex of the sporangia. Capillitium sparse internal
net; small and large meshed surface net with some outward
pointing spines. Spores light brown in mass, pale brown by
transmitted light, reticulate with ridges connecting spines to
form reticulation, 7.5–8 µm.

MEL 535
148

Stemonitopsis amoena (Nann.–Brem.) Nann.–Brem.

Date 10 Aug. 2017 Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (home).
Habitat Eucalypt forest. Substrate bark of eucalypt, firewood
pile. Description Several small groups of stalked sporangia
1.5–2.7 mm high, cylindrical, rounded at apex and base, mid
brown. Sporotheca 1.5–2 mm. Stalk ¼ total height, black by
reflected light, netted fibres at base merging into hypothallus;
red (by transmitted light) and hollow in upper part.
Hypothallus contiguous under group, yellow-brown, shiny.
Peridium fugacious Columella reaches to close to the apex of
the sporotheca where it merges into capillitium. Capillitium
internal threads attach along full length of columella, large and
small meshed surface net. Spores brown by reflected light,
reddish brown by transmitted light, reticulate with small and
large mesh consisting of rows of spines connected by ridges,
8–9 µm. Notes Keys out to Stemonitopsis amoena except spores
are slightly larger: 8–9 µm compared with 6–7.5 µm.

973
 STEMONITIDALES 149

Stemonitopsis gracilis (G. Lister) Nann.-Brem.

Date 15 Mar. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet Eucalypt forest. Substrate large decaying
bryophyte-covered eucalypt log. Description gregarious
stalked lilaceous brown sporangia approximately 2 ‑ 3 mm
high. Sporotheca sub-cylindrical (wider at base), with
rounded base and apex, 0.5 mm diameter Stalk ≤ ⅓ total
height, black, shiny; netted and fibrous at base. Hypothallus
continuous under group where reddish black; shiny elsewhere.
Peridium fugacious Columella reaches to near the apex of
sporotheca where it merges into capillitium; wavy in upper
part. Capillitium internal net with several meshes, smaller
towards periphery, some membranous expansions; surface net
angular. Spores lilaceous brown in mass, pale by transmitted
light, minutely warted, 8–9 µm.
Notes common in some years. A collection I misidentified
as Comatricha pulchella was sent to Marianne Meyer who
suggested the very similar S. gracilis.

MEL418
150

Stemonitopsis hyperopta (Meylan) Nann.-Bremek.

Date 3 Jan. 2017. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate bryophyte-covered log.
Description scattered tufts of stalked sporangia to 6 mm high,
pale lilac brown. Sporotheca sub-cylindrical, slightly tapering
at apex; rounded at apex and base, 2.7 mm long x 0.3–0.4
mm diameter. Stalk black, shiny, 0.4–1.5 mm long; black and
with reticulate fibers at base by transmitted light. Hypothallus
continuous under groups, membranous, brown and shiny.
Peridium fugacious. Columella reaches to below apex of
sporotheca where it branches. Capillitium attached to entire
length of columella, about 5 meshes across radius, reddish
brown; surface net angular with numerous free ends. Spores
pale lilac brown in mass, pale by transmitted light, reticulate
pattern of large and small dark meshes, 6–7 µm.
Notes colour, size and short stalk make this a distinctive
species in the field. Free ends on the surface net can be present
or absent. (N.E. N.-B. ‘meshes sometimes almost smooth,
sometimes with thorns’.)

814
 STEMONITIDALES 151

Stemonitopsis typhina (F.H. Wigg.) Nann.-Bremek.

Date 24 Oct. 2016. Black Sugarloaf, Birralee (big tree track).
Habitat wet eucalypt forest. Substrate standing dead
Bedfordia salicina. Description scattered and gregarious
stalked sporangia, 1.2–3.2 mm high. Sporotheca cylindrical,
light brown, 0.8–1.9 mm long x 0.4–0.5 mm diameter. Stalk
black covered in silvery film, about half height of sporotheca.
Hypothallus continuous under group, red brown, shiny.
Peridium membranous, silvery, persisting as small flakes
on some sporangia. Columella reaches to the apex of the
sporotheca. Capillitium attached along length of columella,
fragmented surface net. Spores brown in mass, lighter brown
by transmitted light, faintly warted with groups of darker
warts, 6–7.5 µm.
Notes This is a very common species at Black Sugarloaf,
especially on very wet Pomaderris apetala logs.
The silvery membrane on the black stalk and persistent
peridium make this an easy species to recognise in the field at
all stages of development.

24 October 2019 1223 4 October 2019 1417

24 October 2019 1658 25 October 2019 0830

768
152

APPENDIX 1: FRUITING BODY PARTS

F
C

25 Aug. 2012 Stalked fruiting body (sporangium) of Lamproderma ‘obovoid’.

G E

D
D

The aethalium (fruiting body) of Fuligo septica. Developing Stemonitis species darken and dry out as the spores mature.

A – Capillitium E – Sporotheca
System of sterile thread-like structures found within the Part of fruiting body that contains the spores (sometimes
spore mass of some myxomycetes. called sporocyst) of stalked fruiting bodies.

B – Columella F – Peridium
An extension of the stalk inside the sporotheca. The membrane that encases the spores of stalked sporangia
and pseudoaethalia.
C – Stalk
Stem or stipe G – Cortex
Thick, usually hard covering of the spore mass of an aethalium.
D – Hypothallus
Structure deposited by the plasmodium at the time of fruiting
that cements the fruiting bodies in place.

APPENDIX 2: GLOSSARY
aethalium (pl. aethalia) a relatively large, stalkless, rounded
fruiting body formed from all or most of the plasmodium.
anastomosing forming a network.
aphanoplasmodium (pl. aphanoplasmodia) usually invisible
plasmodium characteristic of members of the Stemonitidales.
calcareous with calcium carbonate CaCO₃
calyculus (pl. calyculi) persistent cup-like structure formed
from the base of the peridium.
capillitium (pl. capillitia) sterile thread-like structures found
within the spore mass of some slime moulds.
cinereous ash grey
columella an extension of the stalk inside the sporotheca.
cortex thick covering of the spore mass of Fuligo spp.
dehiscent splitting open at maturity to release spores.
duplex of two types.
evanescent ephemeral or transitory.
floriform like a flower.
fugacious withering or dropping off early.
fructification also called fruiting body, sporocarp or
sporophore.
hyaline clear or transparent
hypothallus structure deposited by the plasmodium
cementing the fruiting body to the substrate.
lenticular lens-shaped.
micrometer (µm) 1/1000 of a millimetre or 10¯⁶ metres.
nivicolous species found at the edge of melting snow in
regions that have at least 3 months of snow each year.
oblate spheres flattened at the poles.
ostiole an opening through which spores are dispersed.
peridium membrane that encases the spores; can be
calcareous, persistent, iridescent or evanescent.
petaloid like petals
phaneroplasmodium (pl. phaneroplasmodia) type of
plasmodium that is usually conspicuous, characteristic of
members of the Physarales.
16 June 2019 phaneroplasmodium of Didymium serpula
153
plasmodiocarps fruiting bodies that resemble veins in the
plasmodium.
plasmodium (pl. plasmodia) acellular, multinucleate mass of
protoplasm that is the main feeding stage of the myxomycete.
procumbent trailing along substrate.
protoplasmodium (pl. protoplasmodia) microscopic
plasmodium that usually gives rise to one small fruiting body.
pseudoaethalium (pl. pseudoaethalia) resemble aethalia, but
are actually composed of individual, closely-packed sporangia.
pseudocapillitium (pl. pseudocapillitia) irregular plates,
tubes or thread-like elements within spore mass of aethalia;
like capillitia but not formed in the same way.
pulvinate cushion-shaped
rachis central stalk of fern.
resupinate lying flat on a surface.
reticulate like a net.
rugose wrinkled
sessile without a stalk.
sporangium (pl. sporangia) type of fruiting body formed
when a plasmodium breaks up into a number of small
portions which develop into stalked or sessile units.
sporophore term sometimes used for sporangium; some
authors use this term only for myxomycetes bearing external
spores, e.g Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa.
sporotheca (pl. sporothecae) part of sporangium that
contains the spores, sometimes called sporocyst or spore mass.
stalk stipe or stem.
subulate tapering upwards from a wide base.
substratum (pl. substrata) the material on which something
appears/grows. E.g. soil, rock, bark, leaves etc.
subulate narrowing to a point from a wide base.
terete round in cross section; cylindrical
type specimen/holotype original specimen used by an author
to describe a new species, subspecies or variety.
vermiform worm like
154

APPENDIX 3: DETAILS OF STUDY AREAS

Home – open eucalypt forest dominated by Eucalyptus
delegatensis, E. amygdalina, E. obliqua, E. viminalis and E.
ovata. The understorey is formed by Banksia marginata,
Olearia lirata, Exocarpos cupressiformis, Lomatia tinctoria,
Acacia verticillata, Cassinia aculeata and Correa lawrenciana.
Ground layer vegetation includes Lomandra longifolia, Gahnia
grandis, Lepidosperma sp., Pteridium esculentum and other
ferns. Some clearing of vegetation for fire protection occurs
around the house.
The Swamp – Melaleuca ericifolia swamp forest
located approximately 100 metres north of ‘Home’. It has a
permanent watercourse that overflows onto a small level flood
plain after extended rainy periods. Melaleuca ericifolia and M.
squarrosa comprise the closed canopy forest, with emergent
Acacia melanoxylon and Eucalyptus ovata. The ground layer
vegetation includes Gahnia grandis, Blechnum watsii, B.
nudum, Dicksonia antarctica and Polystichum proliferum. There
are numerous logs and copious amounts of leaf litter.
waterfern Blechnum nudum up the slope from the track. There
are fallen trees on and off the ground and in varying stages of
decay, numerous large bryophyte-covered logs and stumps and
a deep layer of ground litter.
Thismia Gully (so called because of the presence of the
small mycoheterotrophic plant, Thismia rodwayi) is a south-
east facing slope with an ephemeral creek that flows only after
extended rainy periods. The closed canopy forest is dominated
by A. melanoxylon and E. ovata with mid layer vegetation
mostly P. apetala, Olearia argophylla and Coprosma quadrifida.
The ground is devoid of ground cover vegetation except for
Blechnum watsii, Dicksonia antarctica and Pteris tremula. There
is a deep litter layer, fallen trees and numerous very large old
logs covered with bryophytes.

Big Tree Track (so called because in 1988 a large

Eucalyptus sp. (possibly E. obliqua), one of the few remaining
centuries-old trees on Black Sugarloaf, was still standing.
From the house the one kilometre track meanders through
a small patch of Melaleuca ericifolia and M. squarossa and then
through closed wet forest dominated by Eucalyptus obliqua,
E. delegatensis and Acacia melanoxylon. The midstorey species
include large old Banksia marginata, Pomaderris apetala,
Bedfordia salicina, Dicksonia antarctica, Olearia lirata and O.
argophylla.
The most productive section of the track is near ‘big tree’
whose size and the stumps in its immediate vicinity indicate a
rich site. It has a shaded southerly aspect with a large seepage
area, as indicated by the extensive cover of the fishbone
Thismia rodwayi in leaf litter, Thismia gully

Mixed species forest, Big tree track.

 155

APPENDIX 4: CLEMATIS ARISTATA

Clematis aristata is a long-stemmed, vigorous woody vine
frequent in Tasmania’s moist sheltered gullies and montane
forests. Some of the oldest plants at Black Sugarloaf measure
130 mm diameter at the base. They coil on the forest floor
before climbing to entwine the canopy foliage of 40 meters
tall eucalypts and blackwoods. Like tropical and sub-
tropical lianas that are well-documented microhabitats for
myxomycetes, this temperate forest liana—especially the dead
plants with their soft absorbent bark—is also rich.
Species found on the plants include:
Physarum compressum, P. pusillum, Dictydiaethalium
plumbeum, Dianema depressum, Didymium squamulosum,
Badhamia panicea, ?Macbrideola, Perichaena vermicularis and
P. chrysosperma. The last five species have only been found on
this substrate at Black sugarloaf.
Bedfordia salicina, an endemic understorey tree in the
Asteraceae family, has similarly absorbent bark. Old logs and
standing dead trees can be rich sites for slime moulds.
Physarum pusillum

Didymium applanatum on Perichaena vermicularis Badhamia panicea

Dianema depressum Dictydiaethalium plumbeum

?Macbrideola Physarum compressum

156
APPENDIX 5: 2019 ‘HOTSPOT’
Pomaderris apetala was the 2019 ‘hotspot’ log. Ten species of
myxomycetes appeared between 4 June and 9 October includ-
ing Badhamia utricularis, Arcyria leiocarpa, Physarum album,
Trichia decipiens, Metatrichia floriformis, P. viride, Clastoderma
debaryanum, Stemonitopsis typhina and Stemonitis smithii; most
species produced several flushes of fresh sporangia.
2019 ‘Hotspot” logs chewed by Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo.
5 June 2019 Physarum album
21 June 2019 Physarum album
Fungal species on the log included Chlorocyboria aerugan-
escens, Stereum ostrea, Hypocrea rufa and Leucoglea compressa.
P. apetala is a short lived understorey tree whose rapid decay
is hastened by the actions of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo.
Flocks of these large strong-billed birds descend on the trees
to access insect larvae in its relatively soft wood.
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
7 June 2019 Badhamia utricularis
24 June 2019 Physarum vviride
 157

4 August 2019 Trichia decipiens 6 August 2019 Arcyria affinis

30 August 2019 Trichia decipiens 2 Sept 2019 Arcyria leiocarpa

16 September 2019 Metatrichia floriformis 6 September 2019 Clastoderma debaryanum

7 October 2019 Stemonitopsis typhina 9 October 2019 Stemonitis smithii

158
APPENDIX 6: REFERENCES AND WEBSITES
Adamonyte, G. & Eliasson, U.H. (2010) ‘Morphological
variation and taxonomic characters in Cribraria
(Myxomycetes) from the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park in Eastern USA.’ Nova Hedwigia 90, 3—4, pp.303-320,
Stuttgart.
Ing, B. (1999) The Myxomycetes of Britain and Ireland: An
Identification Handbook. Richmond Publishing Co., Slough.
Leontyev, DV Stephenson, SL & Schnittler M 2014 ‘A new
species of Alwisia (Myxomycetes) from New South Wales and
Tasmania.’ Mycologia, 106(6) 1212–1219.
Leontyev et al. ‘A critical revision of the Tubifera ferruginosa
complex.’ Mycologia, 107(5), 2015, pp. 959–985.
Lloyd, SJ (2014) Where the slime mould creeps, 2nd edition.
Tympanocryptis Press.
Lloyd, SJ, Leontyev, D &‑ Dagamac, N. (2019) Three new
species of Tubifera from Tasmania and New South Wales.
Phytotaxa, 414 (5): 240–252
Martin, GW & Alexopoulos, CJ 1969, The Myxomycetes.
University of Iowa Press, Iowa.
McHugh, R Mitchell, DW Brims, MH & Stephenson, SL
2009 ‘New additions to the Myxomycota of Australia,’ Austral
Mycol. 28: 56–64.
Mitchell, DW 1995 ‘The Myxomycota of Australia’, Nova
Hedwigia 60(1–2): 269-295.
Moreno, G Singer, H & Stephenson, SL 2008 ‘A study on
Lamproderma australiensis and L. reticulosporum’, Bol. Soc.
Micol. Madrid 32.
Moreno et al. 2013 A new species of Trichia (Myxomycete)
from Singapore. Bol Soc. Micol. Madrid 37.2013
Nannenga-Bremekamp, NE 1991 A Guide to Temperate
Myxomycetes. Biopress Limited Bristol.
30 May 2010 phaneroplasmodium of Leocarpus fragilis
Neubert, H Nowotny, W & Baumann, K 1993 Die
Myxomyceten. Deutschlands und des angrenzenden
Alpenraumes unter besonderer Berucksichtiggung Osterreichs,
Karlheinz Baumann Verlag Gomaringen.
Poulain, M Meyer, M & Bozonnet, J 2011 Les Myxomycètes.
Federation mycologique et botanique Dauphine-Savoie Le
Prieure, Sevrier.
Schnittler, M 2001 ‘Ecology and biogeography of
myxomycetes.’ Doctoral dissertation, Freidrich-Schiller-
Universität Jena.
Stevenson, SL & Stempen, H 1994 Mycomycetes: a handbook
of slime molds. Timber Press, Oregon.
Stephenson, SL & Novozhilov, YK 2012 ‘A new species of
Trichia from Australia’, Mycologia, 104 (6) pp. 1517–1520.
Stephenson, S.L. (2003) Myxomycetes of New Zealand. Fungi
of New Zealand Volume 3. Fungal Diversity Research Series
11: 1-238.
Stephenson, SL & Rojas, C 2017 Myxomycetes: Biology,
Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology. Academic Press, London.
www.disjunctnaturalist.com/slime-mould-log/
https://sarahlloydmyxos.wordpress.com
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.lloyd.tasmania/?hl=en
www.discoverlife.org/20/q?search=Eumycetozoa
www.fungimap.org.au/

INDEX
Alwisia lloydiae 27
Arcyria affinis 39
Arcyria cinerea 40 Elaeomyxa cerifera 111
Arcyria denudata 41
Arcyria ferruginea 42 & 43
Arcyria incarnata 44
Arcyria leiocarpa 45
Arcyria major 46
Arcyria obvelata 47
Arcyria pomiformis 48
Badhamia affinis 74
Badhamia nitens 75
Badhamia panicea 76
Badhamia utricularis 77
Calomyxa metallica 37
Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa 8
Clastoderma debaryanum 9
Colloderma robustum 114
Comatricha alta 129 & 130
Comatricha anomala 131
Comatricha brachypus 132
Comatricha elegans 133
Comatrichia ellae 134
Comatricha nigra 135
Comatricha pulchella 136
Comatricha rigidireta 137
Comatricha rubens 138
Comatricha rutilipedata 139
Comatricha subalpina 140
Comatricha vineatilis 141
Craterium aureum 78
Craterium minutum 79
Cribraria cancellata 11
Cribraria cancellata var. fusca 12
Cribraria confusa 13
Cribraria dictydioides 14
Cribraria ferruginea 15
Cribraria intricata 16
Cribraria macrocarpa 17 Physarum flavicomum 87
Cribraria martinii 18
Cribraria microcarpa 19
Cribraria mirabilis 20
Cribraria persoonii 21 Physarum pseudocolumellatum 91
Cribraria rufa 22
Cribraria splendens 23
Cribraria vulgaris 24
Dianema depressum 36
Dictydiaethalium plumbeum 28
Diderma donkii 95
Diderma effusum 96 & 97
Diderma globosum 98
Diderma niveum 99
Diderma spumarioides 100
Diderma cf. subincarnatum 101
Diderma ‘yellow columella’ 102
Didymium applanatum 103
Didymium bahiense 104
Didymium clavus 105
Didymium melanospermum 106
Didymium nigripes 107
159
Didymium serpula 108
Didymium squamulosum 109
Elaeomyxa reticulospora 112
Enerthenema papillatum 128
Fuligo rufa 70
Fuligo septica 71
Hemitrichia spinosa 49
Hemitrichia velutina 50
Lamproderma echinulatum 122
Lamproderma elasticum 123
Lamproderma muscorum 124
Lamproderma ‘obovoid’ 125
Lamproderma scintillans 126
Lamproderma ‘umbilicatum’ sp. nov. 127
Leocarpus fragilis 73
Licea minima 26
Lindblandia tubulina 25
Lycogala epidendrum 34
Macbrideola argentea 116
Macbrideola ? 117
Macbrideola ? 118
Metatrichia floriformis 51
Minakatella longifila 38
Paradiachea caespitosa 115
Paradiacheopsis rigida 119
Paradiacheopsis ? 120
Paradiacheopsis ? 121
Perichaena chrysosperma 54
Perichaena depressa 55
Perichaena vermicularis 56
Physarum album 80
Physarum bitectum 81
Physarum bivalve 82
Physarum bogoriense 83
Physarum compressum 84
Physarum contextum 85
Physarum decipiens 86
Physarum globuliferum 88
Physarum leucophaeum 89
Physarum luteolum 90
Physarum pusillum 92
Physarum virescens 93
Physarum viride 94
Prototrichia metallica 52 & 53
Reticularia splendens 33
Stemonitis axifera 142
Stemonitis flavogenita 143
Stemonitis fusca 144
Stemonitis herbatica 145
Stemonitis splendens 146
Stemonitis virginiensis 147
Stemonitopsis amoena 148
Stemonitopsis gracilis 149
Stemonitopsis hyperopta 150
Stemonitopsis typhina 151
Symphytocarpus flaccidus 113
Trichia affinis 57
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INDEX Possibly at Black Sugarloaf but not included:

Trichia botrytis 58 & 59 Comatricha laxa

Trichia contorta 60 Comatricha longipila
Trichia decipiens 61 Stemonaria irregularis
Trichia decipiens var. decipiens 62 Stemonaria longa
Trichia decipiens var. hemitrichoides 63 Stemonitis foliicola
Trichia decipiens var. olivacea 64 Stemonitis lignicola
Trichia erecta 65 Stemonitis marjana
Trichia lutescens 66 Stemonitopsis aequalis
Trichia munda 67 Stemonitis pallida
Trichia verrucosa 68 Stemonitopsis peritricha
Tubifera glareata 29 Stemonitopsis reticulata
Tubifera ferruginosa 30
Tubifera tomentosa 31
Tubifera vanderhueliae 32
Willkommlangea reticulata 72

Physarum flavicomum 22 June 2019