Physarum

Physarum is the largest genus of mycetozoan slime molds in the family Physaraceae. They typically thrive in cool, dark, and humid environments, including the bark of trees (often where moss is present), dead twigs, rotting logs covered with moss, leaf litter, and moist forest soils. The name Physarum comes from the Greek word φυσα (physa), which means “blister” or “bubble”, referring to the bubble-like appearance of its sporangia.

==Phylogeny== Physarum is classified not as a fungus, but as a slime mold belonging to the Amoebozoa. Phylogenetic studies of Unikonts indicate that acellular slime molds like Physarum are related to cellular slime molds such as Dictyostelium, as well as other members of the Amoebozoa.