Tremella mesenterica

Morphological Features:

Fruiting body of a bright yellow color, which fades somewhat under dry conditions, taking on orange hues. Initially globose, it spreads into an irregularly lobed form, potentially exceeding 5 cm in length and 2 to 3 cm in height. Its consistency is soft and tremulous, resembling jelly.

Hymenium covering the entire outer surface of the fruiting body, which is smooth and glossy.

Stipe completely absent; it attaches to the mycelium at a single point via a mycelial cord.

Flesh of gelatinous consistency, with no remarkable odor or taste.

Habitat:

This species can be found year-round, though it fruits predominantly during the colder months of autumn and early winter. It occurs exclusively on woody debris of broadleaf trees, or directly on trunks. It is a very common species.

Observations:

Without culinary value. Several authors treat the pale forms of this species as Tremella lutescens without synonymizing them, also noting the probable absence of conidia. There is also Tremella aurantia, which is separated due to its parasitic relationship with Stereum. Tremella foliácea is brown and markedly different.