The single-celled saprophytic protists move along the decaying twigs and leave to engulf the organic matter.
Under suitable conditions, these protists form an aggregation called plasmodium that grows up to several feet.
Under unfavorable conditions, the plasmodium differentiates to form fruiting bodies, bearing spores at tips that are resistant to extreme conditions such as high temperatures.
Example of slime mould:
The fast-growing and most notable species of this genus is Physarum polycephalum.
This slime mold forms an ash-gray coating on grasses under moist and humid conditions.