Vomit fungus, more accurately known as dog vomit slime mold or scrambled egg slime mold, is Fuligo septica, a common slime mold belonging to the Physaraceae family within the Amoebozoa phylum.
Here's a breakdown:
- Appearance: It typically presents as a yellow, tan, or whitish fluffy or foamy mass. This is the stage that gives it the descriptive (and somewhat off-putting) name.
- Progression: Over time, it dries, becomes crusty, and darkens.
- Reproduction: Eventually, it releases countless spores to reproduce.
- Classification: While often called a fungus, it's crucial to understand that Fuligo septica is actually a slime mold, a type of amoeboid protist. This means it's more closely related to amoebas than to true fungi.
In summary, vomit fungus is a descriptive term for Fuligo septica, a slime mold recognized by its initial appearance resembling dog vomit or scrambled eggs, before drying and sporulating.
