The tremella fungi

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

The Tremella's! i came here for an education and I learnt something today, thanks to Mr humphries, i salute thee sir!

 

So, there are 3 forms of Tremella that all have a similar appearance macroscopicaly speaking, all looking like this little beastie here, common name "the yellow brain" or for an older more ancient name, "witches butter" so called as it was often believed that when this grew out of your fence or rather gate posts you had been hexed by a witch, the only way to remove the hex/curse was to prick the fungus to let it ooze and die off!

 

The important distinctions from a field identity point of view are thus-

 

Tremella messenterica is a parasite of Peniophora (resupinate crust fungi) whilst Tremella arantia is a parasite of Stereum hirsutum

 

Dacrymyces palmatus is another look-alike, but it grows on conifer wood, is smaller, has a tough, white point of attachment

 

so there you have it!

[sean]

On oak....Friday, Richmond Pk

 

So this is mesnterica right?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I would say yes, but i am still looking into the Peniophora that goes with it, the little fungal fruit bodies on the bark in your image may well be thus, and confirm the identity

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

judging from what I can see yours is indeed messenterica, those little fruit bodies are most likely a form of peniophora, this thread has been most constructive for me!

 

Now I will know whats what when i see these pretty little fungi