Stemonitidae
Stemonitidae is a family of slime molds belonging to the order Stemonitales. These organisms are characterized by their stalked sporangia, which typically form a dark, often black, spore mass. The stalk is usually distinct and well-developed, arising from a persistent hypothallus, which is a dark, membranous layer that can be visible at the base of the sporangia.
The plasmodium, the vegetative stage of a slime mold, is typically a network of protoplasmic strands that
The capillitium, a network of sterile threads within the sporangium, is a key feature for identification within
Common genera within Stemonitidae include Stemonitis, Comatricha, and Clastoderma. These slime molds are found in damp,