The transformation of the plasmodium into spore-bearing "fruiting bodies" or fructifications can occur within hours. Depending on the species, these fructifications can be in the form of sporangia, aethalia or plasmodiocarps. Sporangia may be stalked and have unique shapes (e.g. Stemonitis and Dictydium). Aethalia are large, thickened, cushion-shaped structures containing numerous spores (e.g. Fuligo). Plasmodiocarps often retain the branching habit of the original plasmodium (e.g. Hemitrichia). Plasmodiocarps are the most primitive type of fructification, while sporangia are the most advanced.