Species details
Yellow brain
Tremella mesenterica
Traditionally edible
Photo: mangoblatt · CC0 · Photo source · License
Description
A vivid yellow, strongly folded gelatinous wood fungus without a true cap or stem, shrinking greatly when dry.
Identification features
The fruitbody is 2–10 cm wide, soft, trembling and strongly folded, vivid yellow to orange-yellow. There is no stem; it is attached directly to wood.
Identification checklist
Check the vivid yellow colour, gelatinous trembling consistency and strongly folded form on broadleaved wood. Substrate details or microscopy may be needed to separate yellow jelly fungi.
How to separate similar species
Dacrymyces is often more cushion-like and mainly associated with conifer wood. Other yellow jelly fungi can overlap macroscopically.
Habitat
Appears on dead branches and broadleaved wood, often from bark cracks, during damp weather through much of the year.
Fruiting period
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December