


I am going to go out on a limb and do a visual ID on these, I am going to assume that they are Arcyria cinerea, pale gray to light brown, 0.3 to 4.0 mm tall (Stephenson), though I have encountered another species once before that were a bit larger than these here but similar in appearance aside from color. Those may have been A. denudata which can range from 2 to 6 mm tall, pinkish red to brick red (Stephenson).

Here we have another of which I have examined the spores and capillitum of many times before through the microscope and have come to the conclusion of it being Hemitrichia calyculata. Note the size of these compared to the moss that they were found next too. The substrate on which all of these are found, are pieces of damp and decaying tree limbs that were littering the forest floor above 4,000'

Here we have H. calyculata in a state of dehiscence, just below center, but what interests me here in this image is the mass of spherical black bodies above which I have not encountered until today. I am quite sure that these are myxomycetes but as to what species I am uncertain. A visual search left me with the impression that they could be Lindbladia tubulina but even of that I am vaugly sure. Only examination of the spores through the use of the microscope would actually reveal the possiblity of what species they actully are. Again note their size to their surroundings and to that of the dehiscent H. calyculata.