Black bread mould (Rhizopus stolonifer)

Photomacrograph of black bread mould (Rhizopus stolonifer). Moulds are fungi that live on plant and animal matter and need moisture to thrive and grow. This particular thread-like fungus absorbs nutrients from moist food matter such as bread and soft fruits. Rhizopus stolonifer can also be found in other habitats such as soil and fresh decaying litter, where it plays an important role in decomposition. Width of image is 2 cm.