Golden Jelly Fungus
ExploreFungi
Golden Jelly Fungus
Tremella mesenterica
The Golden Jelly Fungus is a wobbly, jelly-like mushroom that shines bright yellow. It looks like something from a magical world!
Habitat: Decaying wood in forests
Appearance
The Golden Jelly Fungus is a bright yellow to orange, gelatinous fungus with a wrinkled or lobed appearance, often resembling a brain or crumpled mass. Its wobbly texture and vivid color make it stand out from typical mushrooms, often glistening when wet.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassTremellomycetesOrderTremellalesFamilyTremellaceaeGenusTremella
Category
FungiRarity
Epic
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
11
Interesting facts
Ancient people used this wobbly fungus in soups and stews for centuries!
It can shrink down when dry and then magically re-inflate after it rains!
It’s also known as 'Witch's Butter' because of its gooey, yellow look!
This fungus feels like soft, squishy jelly when you gently touch it.
Special abilities
Ability
Moisture Magnet
Golden Jelly Fungus can dry out to a small crust, then rehydrate and plump up like new with rain, helping it survive dry spells.
Ability
Fungal Parasite
Golden Jelly Fungus is a unique parasite that grows on and gets its nutrients from other specific fungi already living on dead wood.
Ability
Wood Wrecker
Golden Jelly Fungus helps decompose dead branches and logs, recycling nutrients back into the forest soil.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 2-10 cm
- Edibility
- edible
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Year-round
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Rusty Crust Fungus
Peniophora rufa
Tremella feeds on this crust fungus
depends on
White Oak
Quercus alba
Decomposes dead wood of this tree species
depends on
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
Grows on and helps break down its dead wood
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Witch's ButterYellow Trembler
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Golden Jelly Fungus?
2-10 cm
Is Golden Jelly Fungus edible?
edible
Where is Golden Jelly Fungus usually found?
Decaying wood in forests
What does Golden Jelly Fungus grow on?
wood
When is Golden Jelly Fungus in season?
Year-round
What color are Golden Jelly Fungus spores?
White
Snap Map
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