Fuligo septica at Strumpshaw Fen – May 2024

1 June 2024

In early May — near The Outpost — we saw our first Fuligo septica of the year — a mature aethalium on the verge of disintegrating.

Fuligo septica – near The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – 11th May 2024
Fuligo septica – near The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – 11th May 2024

And nearby a Fuligo septica plasmodium.

Fuligo septica plasmodium – near The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – 11th May 2024

Which a week later had already matured losing it’s peridium exposing the spore mass.

Fuligo septica spore mass – near The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024

At the end of May the spore mass had become mouldy.

Fuligo septica mouldy spore mass – near The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – 27th May 2024

Adjacent, a new small aethalium had developed.

Fuligo septica spore mass and new aethalium – near The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024
Fuligo septica aethalium – near The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024

Just outside The Outpost, on the stump remnant of a fallen tree we saw a fine looking Fuligo septica.

Fuligo septica aethalium – outside The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – morning of 19th May 2024

Eight hours later and the peridium’s colour was fading and it had started to disintegrate.

Fuligo septica aethalium – outside The Outpost
Strumpshaw Fen – evening of 19th May 2024

Some other Fuligo septica aethalia we saw on the same day towards the end of the Woodland Trail.

Fuligo septica aethalium – end of Woodland Trail
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024
Fuligo septica aethalium – end of Woodland Trail
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024

And some Fuligo septica plasmodia.

Fuligo septica plasmodia – Woodland Trail
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024

A closeup of the bottom group in the above photo — you can see some plasmodial strands on the left clump.

Fuligo septica plasmodia – Woodland Trail
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024
Fuligo septica plasmodium – Woodland Trail
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024

As they are — these plasmodia — one could be uncertain as to what slime mould they are, especially the one below which could be mistaken for Mucilago crustacea, but based on what I’ve seen over the years, I’m certain they are Fuligo septica.

Fuligo septica plasmodium – Woodland Trail
Strumpshaw Fen – 19th May 2024