The Living Slime Tree
Watch a single-celled giant organism grow from a small bush into a massive branching tree. The yellow slime pulses rhythmically, using waves of contraction to push itself through its own growing network of branches. Without a brain, it explores space through pure physical propulsion.
The plasmodium grows as a self-similar fractal network (L-system branching). Each pulse is a wave of contraction that travels through the branches, propelling the protoplasm forward. The branches taper according to Murray's Law: optimal diameter ratios for minimal surface area and maximum transport efficiency. The thinner branches extend as the tree grows, creating an expanding, dynamic network.
Generated with L-systems: Self-similar fractal branching matching nature's optimal designs
Based on Heather Barnett's research on slime mold intelligence, maze-solving, and network optimization
Research: Heather Barnett, Physarum polycephalum behavior studies, L-system morphogenesis
What You're Watching: A giant multinucleated cell (syncytium) with a central pulsing body and branching tentacles. The body throbs with cytoplasmic streaming while tentacles grow outward seeking nutrients, guided by chemical gradients and optimal branching principles.
Anatomy & Growth:
Murray's Law: r³ = 2r₁³ + 2r₂³
The parent branch's cross-sectional area equals the sum of its children's areas. This optimizes transport with minimum surface area.
Problem-Solving Slime: Physarum uses this branching growth to explore mazes and find optimal paths. It can solve transportation problems, recreate efficient networks (like Tokyo's railway), and navigate complex environments—all without a brain.
L-system generated fractal branching inspired by actual Physarum polycephalum growth patterns and Heather Barnett's research into slime mold morphogenesis and intelligence.