Hemitrichia snake (Hemitrichia serpula)
- Department: Myxomycota (Myxomycetes)
- Type: Hemitrichia serpula (Snake Hemitrichia)
- Mucor serpula
- Trichia serpula
- Hemiarchyria serpula
- Arcyria raspula
- Hyporhamma serpula
(Serpula Hemitrichia or Serpentine Hemitrichia). Family: Trichiaceae (Trichieves). Most slime molds are ubiquitous, and only a few are confined to tropical and subtropical regions. Hemitrichia serpentine is one of the rather rare species that are not found outside the temperate zones.
The species was first described in the XNUMXth century. The Italian naturalist Giovanni Scopoli like that suggests his relationship with fungi.
It grows on rotting wood, having a very catchy, unusual appearance. Fruit body: plasmodia consist of closely intertwined strands, vaguely resembling a ball of snakes, hence the name of the species (serpula from lat. – “snake”). As a result, an openwork mesh is formed on the surface of the bark, rotting wood or other substrate. Its color is mustard, yolk, slightly reddish. The area of such a grid can reach several square centimeters.
Edibility: Hemitrichia serpentina is not suitable for food.
Similarity: not to be confused with other temperate myxomycete species.
Distribution: Plasmodium hemitrichia serpentine can be found throughout the summer in various types of forests in Europe and Asia.
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