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Protozoa: Mycetozoa: Myxomycetes: Stemonitales: Stemonitidaceae: Brefeldia maxima (Fr.) Rostaf., 1873

Brefeldia maxima – Tapioca slime mold

Synonyms: Licea perreptans, Reticularia maxima.

Common name: tapioca slime mold.

Russian name: Brefeldiya bolshaya.

Extract from Wikipedia article: Brefeldia maxima is a species of non-parasitic plasmodial slime mold, and a member of the class Myxomycetes. It is commonly known as the tapioca slime mold because of its peculiar pure white, tapioca pudding-like appearance. A common species with a worldwide distribution, particularly in North America and Europe. It is often found on bark after heavy rain or excessive watering. Their spores are produced on or in aerial sporangia and are spread by wind, however beetles of the family Lathridiidae are also reported to disperse the spores. Bonner states that soil invertebrates and rain mainly disperse spores as they are sticky and unlikely to be carried by air currents.

AI-generated description

Brefeldia maxima is a species of slime mold belonging to the class Mycetozoa. It has been found in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, as well as other areas of north-western Russia. The species typically grows on decaying wood, particularly coniferous logs, in moist environments such as forests and swamps. In these regions, Brefeldia maxima often appears during the summer and autumn months, forming large, cushion-like plasmodia that can reach up to 30 cm in diameter.

Photos of this mushroom from the area of St. Petersburg, Russia

Slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> on the ground in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkSlime mold Brefeldia maxima on the ground in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Details of slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkDetails of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in a spruce forest in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkSlime mold Brefeldia maxima in a spruce forest in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in a forest floor in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkSlime mold Brefeldia maxima in a forest floor in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in on spruce roots in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkSlime mold Brefeldia maxima in on spruce roots in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Plasmodium of slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkPlasmodium of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Close up of plasmodium of slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkClose up of plasmodium of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Sporangia of slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkSporangia of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Brown sporangia of slime mold <B>Brefeldia maxima</B> in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, <A HREF="../date-en/2017-09-27.htm">September 27, 2017</A>
LinkBrown sporangia of slime mold Brefeldia maxima in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 27, 2017
Location on mapsAlleya Chornoy Shlyapy, Pavlovsk, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia

AI-generated summary of observations

Observations of Brefeldia maxima in Leningrad Oblast and north-western Russia revealed the species' presence in various habitats within Pavlovsk Park, a suburb of Saint Petersburg. The slime mold was found on the ground, in spruce forests, and on forest floors, often associated with spruce roots. The plasmodium stage was observed, with close-up views revealing its texture and structure. Sporangia were also noted, with some appearing brown, indicating maturity. The species' ability to thrive in these environments suggests adaptability to local conditions. The observations provide insight into the ecological preferences of Brefeldia maxima in this region, highlighting its presence in a range of forest habitats within Pavlovsk Park. Overall, the findings contribute to understanding the distribution and behavior of this slime mold species in north-western Russia.

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Links

Acknowledgements

Russian web-forums Planeta Gribov, V Kontakte, and Griby Sredney Polosy for learning names of local mushrooms.

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