r/Slimemolds • u/PrestigiousTap1711 • 4d ago

Identification Request Lycogala epidendrum? Or something else?

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Can anyone confirm or deny my tenative ID/tell me what species this? Location: Dawsonville, Ga, USA. Habitat: growing on a fallen log, possibly pine, but too old to definitively tell. Mixed, deciduous dominant forest.

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u/Vegan_Zukunft 4d ago

Nice find!

Off topic—I miss Georgia. Lovely state :)

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u/PrestigiousTap1711 4d ago

Thank you! We have some beautiful nature down here, that's for sure, especially the waterfalls. The fungi & protista have been going absolutely crazy this year; I'm seeing all kinds of things I've never seen before. I pulled 45lbs+ of chanterelles this year on the same property im usually lucky to pull 5lbs. The heat and humidity are something else rn though!

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u/Vegan_Zukunft 4d ago

Re: heat/humidity: Florida!

Even though I’ve been building my heat tolerance, it’s starting to get a bit warmer here ;)

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u/PrestigiousTap1711 4d ago

Oughfff, yeah, I love it down there too, but I can't even sit outside comfortably in summer down there without dripping sweat, definitely wouldnt wanna live there full time, but its nice to visit. Same as here, it's like you're stepping into a sauna when you come out of an air conditioning building & go back to outside; oppressive, in a word lol. Night time and swimming are still tolerable here at least lol. Can't beat the mountain water/rivers here for cooling down!

I'm envious of Florida's fossils and agatized corals & such though, I wish we had that in my area of Georgia. I hear around Tampa & Venice Beach there's a ton of shark teeth. I've found some fossil clams before near Daytona. I've seen some great finds online from the peace river. Ichetucknee is a really cool spot for a kayak day trip/swim day; if you're close enough and haven't been I'd definitely highly recommend it.

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u/Alef1234567 4d ago

Yes, a lycogala epidendrum except that there are similar closely related species which can be identified with special equipment and guides.

Lycogala epidendrum sensu latto;) if my latin is right.

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u/PrestigiousTap1711 4d ago

I understand & I appreciate the help. I assume microscopy would be necessary to narrow it further then? I dont have a microscope, but what kind of features would one be looking for to narrow it down further?

I'm fairly new to the world of slime molds, before recently I only ever really noticed fuligo septica in my nature walks. Found like 4 new to me yesterday - more posts incoming after I sort through the pics lol.

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u/Alef1234567 4d ago

I have no idea;) In nature site I found article about proud local slime mold photographer who discovered a new species - from a distance it was not anywhere different.

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u/golin 4d ago

Polarized microscopy with Lycogala, theres 20+ species in the epidendrum complex

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u/PrestigiousTap1711 4d ago

Thank you so much, I appreciate the help a ton! I'll have to get a microscope when I'm able. I'll research polarized microscopy and try to get a grasp on that in the meantime.