Yellow Brain Fungus, Witch's Butter
Conservation status: Not listed.
This distinctive species is very common world-wide in temperate and tropical areas. The "brain-like" fruiting bodies are a tough, gelatin-like mass when moist, but they shrivel and become hard when dry. They are capable of reviving after rain.
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Scientific Classification
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Tremellomycetes
Tremellales
Tremellaceae
Tremella
mesenterica
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| Tremella mesenterica is actually a parasite that lives on other types of fungi, such as the crust Peniophora spp. that feed on wood. Occasionally, Tremella mesenterica and its host fungus can be found fruiting together. The fruiting bodies may be produced singly, but sometimes they can occur in great masses. |
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