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 Diderma asteroides
SynonymsChondrioderma asteroides
BiostatusPresent in region - Indigenous. Non endemic
Article: Stephenson, S.L. (2003). Myxomycetes of New Zealand. Fungi of New Zealand. Ngā Harore o Aotearoa 3: xiv + 238 p. Hong Kong: Fungal Diversity Press.
Description: Fruiting body a sessile sporangium (rarely short-stalked or plasmodiocarpous), globose or ovoid, the apex often more or less acuminate, 0.2–0.8 mm in diameter. Hypothallus white, scanty. Peridium consisting of three layers, the outermost layer reddish brown to brown, cartilaginous, more or less marked by radiating lines converging at the apex, firmly attached to the middle layer, the latter consisting of closely aggregated lime granules, the innermost layer membranous, usually free and sometimes distant from the middle layer, dehiscence floriform. Columella globose or depressed-globose or sometimes poorly developed, rugulose, pallid to deep ochraceous. Capillitium consisting of slender, anastomosing, purplish threads, these pale at the tips. Spores black in mass, smoky violaceous brown by transmitted light, warted, 10–12 µm in diameter. Plasmodium yellow or orange.
Habitat: Dead leaves, also occurring on decaying wood and bark.
Distribution: Recorded from scattered localities in Europe and North America (Martin & Alexopoulos 1969) but apparently uncommon. First reported from New Zealand by Rawson (1937), based on a specimen collected in Dunedin. Also known from Auckland.
Notes: After dehiscence has occurred, the sporangia of this species resemble miniature earthstars and are unlikely to be confused with any other myxomycete.
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