Content
Trichia decipiens has a scientific name - myxomycetes. Until now, researchers do not have a consensus on which group these amazing organisms belong to: animals or fungi.
Trichia deceptively got a not very pleasant name: the literal translation from English is “mucous mold”, in Russian – “slime mold”.
Usually these specimens were classified as belonging to the lower kingdoms of plants and placed next to mushrooms, sometimes even combined with them. According to current standards, Trichium deceptive is classified as a protozoan and is considered more likely to be animals than plants or fungi.
What trichia looks like
The fruit body is twisted or stretched, located on a cylindrical dark brown stalk, which becomes lighter closer to the top. The upper part is filled with spores. This slime mold zone looks like an inverted, shiny, bright red-orange blob up to 3 mm in size.
As the head grows, it changes color. Its color ranges from olive to olive-yellow or brown-yellow. The mushroom capsule is filmy and brittle. When the fruiting body cracks, the top becomes cupped.
Trichium deceptively in a forested area
Where and how does it grow
Trichia deceptively lives in the warm season on the surface or inside a tree that is rotting, on stumps, on fallen leaves, in moss. These mushrooms can move slowly at a speed of 5 mm per hour, constantly acquiring new forms. They move purposefully. Young plasmodium tries to leave bright places and strives for damp ones. “Crawling”, it can envelop leaves and branches.
The fungus feeds mainly on bacteria
Distributed in forested areas of temperate regions of the European part of the country, Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East, as well as in Magadan, Georgia.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Inedible. The mushroom does not contain toxic substances, but is not permitted for consumption.
Conclusion
Trichium vulgaris is widespread in temperate regions, mainly growing on rotting and damp tree debris. Its appearance resembles small sea buckthorn berries. Not used for food.
