Strumpshaw Fen fungi & slime moulds – Spring 2025

April and May 2025 has been fairly dry and slime moulds didn’t seem to be much about – compared to spring 2024 – where we were already spotting Reticularia lycoperdon, Fuligo septica and Lycogala epidendrum.

5th May

On the same fallen trunk where we found Stemonitis sp. last summer (near The Outpost), two clusters of slime mould.

We’ve seen these maturing black and vinaceous brown clusters, with fused sporotheca, about the Strumpshaw Fen woodland before.

The white cluster consisted of developing sporangia at their primordium stage.

11th May

A week later at the same location we spotted Stemonitopsis typhina.

On the same section of trunk there were the capillitial remains of a Reticularia lycoperdon (false puffball).

18th May

On the section of trunk a week later, amongst the maturing Stemonitopsis typhina sporangia, some translucent white primordia and translucent light vinaceous grey early-stage sporangia.

At the end of the drainage channel path (along the woodland trail) some Scutellinia sp. – eyelash fungi are always captivating!

And nearby a solitary Lactarius (milkcap) sp. exuding droplets of latex.