Sporangium of Physarum polycephalum

A colorized scanning electron micrograph of the fruiting body, or sporangium, of Physarum polycephalum. The actual size is 3 mm tall. The 10 micrometer diameter spores are borne in the enlarged "head" at the top of the stalk. Photo from the dust jacket of reference #1 below. This beautiful colorized version appeared as the cover of the April 2001 issue (#01-3) of Microscopy Today!

References:

1. Aldrich, Henry C. and John W. Daniel, 1982. Cell Biology of Physarum and Didymium. 2 volumes. 817 pages. New York: Academic Press.

2. Aldrich, Henry C., 1986. From taxonomy to biochemistry: Odyssey of a myxomycetologist. Mycologia, 78:1-10.

3. Aldrich, Henry C., 1982. Influence of inorganic ions on color of lime in the Physarales. Mycologia, 74:404-411.