Hi @henry9988
Thanks for your question. This fascinating collection of dark purple coloured eggs is actually a turf slime mould!
Physarum cinereum. Which is actually harmless and a good sign of amazing ecology! So I’d recommend just leaving it alone. It will soon disappear.
Slime molds are unique organisms that belong to the kingdom Protista. Despite their name, they are not molds or fungi. Slime molds come in two main types: plasmodial slime molds and cellular slime molds.
Plasmodial slime molds are multinucleate, meaning they have many nuclei within a single cell membrane. They often appear as large, gelatinous masses with intricate branching patterns and can move slowly across surfaces.
Cellular slime molds, on the other hand, start as individual amoeba-like cells that can aggregate when food is scarce, forming a multicellular structure that looks like a slug. This "slug" can then transform into a stalk-like structure that produces spores for reproduction.
Slime molds feed on bacteria, fungi, and other organic matter, and they play a role in decomposing dead plant material in ecosystems. While they might look odd, slime molds are fascinating examples of the diversity of life on Earth and how different organisms adapt and survive in various environments.
Hope that helps?
Lee
Hi @henry9988
Thanks for your question. This fascinating collection of dark purple coloured eggs is actually a turf slime mould!
Physarum cinereum. Which is actually harmless and a good sign of amazing ecology! So I’d recommend just leaving it alone. It will soon disappear.
Slime molds are unique organisms that belong to the kingdom Protista. Despite their name, they are not molds or fungi. Slime molds come in two main types: plasmodial slime molds and cellular slime molds.
Plasmodial slime molds are multinucleate, meaning they have many nuclei within a single cell membrane. They often appear as large, gelatinous masses with intricate branching patterns and can move slowly across surfaces.
Cellular slime molds, on the other hand, start as individual amoeba-like cells that can aggregate when food is scarce, forming a multicellular structure that looks like a slug. This "slug" can then transform into a stalk-like structure that produces spores for reproduction.
Slime molds feed on bacteria, fungi, and other organic matter, and they play a role in decomposing dead plant material in ecosystems. While they might look odd, slime molds are fascinating examples of the diversity of life on Earth and how different organisms adapt and survive in various environments.
Hope that helps?
Lee