Common Coral Slime
ExploreFungi
Common Coral Slime
ceratiomyxa fruticulosa
The Common Coral Slime is a fascinating organism that looks like colorful coral under the forest floor! Kids will love discovering its unique shapes and vibrant colors during nature walks.
Habitat: Damp, shaded areas of forests, especially on decaying wood and leaf litter.
Appearance
The Common Coral Slime is a striking white or sometimes yellowish-pink, coral-like growth. It features delicate, branched, finger-like structures with a waxy or gummy texture, often forming dense patches on its substrate.
KingdomFungiPhylumMycetozoaClassProtosteliomycetesOrderCeratiomyxalesFamilyCeratiomyxaceaeGenusCeratiomyxa
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Each tiny, finger-like branch of the slime mold is covered in microscopic spores!
It's not a true fungus, but a "protist"—a distinct group of life with unique features!
Its scientific name, Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa, roughly means "horned slime berry."
This slime mold looks like miniature white coral growing on dead wood.
Special abilities
Ability
Spores on the Surface
Common Coral Slime has unique stalk-less spores that grow directly on its branching surface, which helps them spread easily in moist environments.
Ability
Plasmodium Power
Common Coral Slime can move slowly across surfaces as a jelly-like plasmodium to find food before forming its coral-like structures.
Ability
Decomposition Dynamo
Common Coral Slime helps break down dead plant material like logs and leaves, turning waste into vital nutrients for the forest floor.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1-2 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Growth Substrate
- wood, leaf litter
- Season
- Year-round (favors damp conditions)
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
eats
Fluorescent Pseudomonad
Pseudomonas fluorescens
Its plasmodium consumes these bacteria.
depends on
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
Grows on decaying wood and leaf litter.
eaten by
Red Slug
Arion rufus
Slugs and other invertebrates sometimes graze on its fruiting bodies.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Coral Slime MoldCrown Coral SlimePink Coral Slime
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Common Coral Slime?
1-2 cm
Is Common Coral Slime edible?
inedible
Where is Common Coral Slime usually found?
Damp, shaded areas of forests, especially on decaying wood and leaf litter.
What does Common Coral Slime grow on?
wood, leaf litter
When is Common Coral Slime in season?
Year-round (favors damp conditions)
What color are Common Coral Slime spores?
White
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Park124 sightings17 species
Virginia, US
Lake Fairfax Park
You might spot Duck, Wood Duck, and Chlorosplenium Chlora.
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Park52 sightings9 species
Tennessee, US
Cypress Grove Park
You might spot Baldcypresses, Plain-Bellied Watersnake, and Water Tupelo.
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Park128 sightings4 species
Virginia, US
Tattersall Park
You might spot Black Cohosh, Common Coral Slime, and Rue Anemone.
View guide →
