Seattle Amateur Scientist Helping to Unlock the Secrets of Slime Molds

I am fond of the titles “citizen scientist" and "citizen naturalist” because I believe in the value and in the honor of the designation.  Citizen scientists and naturalists on the front line of mushrooming have so much to offer and gain so much satisfaction from contributing to the knowledge of fungi.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons that I was so grateful to my friend Steve for sending me a link to the OPB article by Ian McCluskey, “Seattle amateur scientist helping to unlock the secrets of slime molds.”  This article introduces us to a amateur naturalist, Kelly Brenner, who has amassed a collection of slime molds:  “Roughly in the 200, 500 range, thereabouts,” she estimates, then adds: “and counting.”  Kelly has an appreciation of slime molds and commented that “Slime molds have a PR problem… they’re called slime molds and that’s not appealing and it’s not representative of how beautiful they really are.”

I think that we who forage are often taken aback when we encounter slime molds.  We amazed by their variety of bold colors.  We admire their choice to stand out, for unlike mushrooms, they do not tend to hide.  Then they disappear just as quickly as they came into view.   

Actually, slime molds are not truly mushrooms nor are they molds or plants.  They are single-cell organisms that live outside most definitions that we have formulated for living things.  

So what are slim molds?  They are one of earth’s oldest living organisms, possibly as ancient as a billion years.  There are currently about 900 identified species with more waiting to be labeled.  They are found in places as diverse as deserts and the Arctic.  Experiments have shown that they appear to retain knowledge day after day.  And, in a Japanese experiment, a slime mold laid out a transportation map similar to modern urban planners ... That statement alone should cause you to link to McCluskey’s article!