Didymium difforme
(Pers.) Duby
Description:
SPOROCARPS: scattered, pulvinate 0.1- 0.3 mm tall , and 0.3-1.0 mm on a broad base, or forming plasmodiocarps 0.4 to 2 mm. or more long, which is purplish or colorless above,

COLUMELLA:
absent or represented by the purplish, thickened calcareous base.

HYPOTHALLUS:
inconspicuous.

PERIDIUM: double, the outer layer smooth, white, composed of densely aggregated lime crystals eggshell-like crust, sometimes lacking, the inner layer delicate, purplish or colourless, iridescent.

CAPILLITIUM: rather scanty, consisting of coarse or slender, purple or colorless, flattened threads, usually broad at the base, branching dichotomously, and slender above. Or profuse, of slender, straight, branching threads, not thicker below, dark or colorless.

SPORES: dark purple-brown or purplish gray, faintly and closely warted, sometimes paler on one side. 11-14 µm diam.
PLASMODIUM: colorless or yellow.
HABITAT: On dead leaves, herbaceous stalks, twigs and the dung of herbivorous animals.

DISTRIBUTION:
Cosmopolitan, Dunedin, Mid Canterbury, Northland, Wellington.
Macro images:
Didymium difforme
Scale bar
Scale= 0.3 mm.
 
Didymium difforme
Scale bar
Scale= 0.3 mm.
 
Didymium difforme
Scale bar
Scale= 0.3 mm.
 
Hidden Forest
Slime Moulds