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Push Pin Slime Mold (Hemitrichia calyculata)

Hemitrichia calyculata is a slime mold species whose mature fruiting bodies sport fantastically poofy, golden "hairdos." These coiffures are actually an intricate collection of capillitial fibers that hold the tiny spores which perpetuate the species. Mature sporocarps of Trichia decipiens are adorned with a similarly fuzzy 'do, but with a less tidy appearance, due to multiple free elaters or "flyaway hairs." When immature, both species have gorgeous, crystalline stalks and exhibit orange tones.


Hemitrichia calyculata, individual mature fruiting body releasing spores. Focus-stacked composite of 111 exposures at 4.5x lifesize. Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Sonoma County, California, USA.
SLI0076


Hemitrichia calyculata, close-up of fruiting bodies that are still developing. Though quite stunning with their crystalline stalks and rich caramel tones, these fruiting bodies could not be positively identified until I later returned to the same location to examine the mature sporocarps (see SLI0076). What a remarkable transformation! Focus-stacked composite of 249 exposures at 5x lifesize. Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Sonoma County, California, USA.
SLI0070


Hemitrichia calyculata. Focus-stacked composite of 149 exposures at 5x lifesize. Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Sonoma County, California, USA.
SLI0077

Next slime mold: Prototrichia metallica



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All pictures copyright Timothy Boomer. All rights reserved worldwide.