Tremella mesenterica.
Fungi > Division Basidiomycota > Class Tremellomycetes > Order Tremellales > Family Tremellaceae.
This is a common Jelly fungus in Australia.
Found on dead wood they are actually parasitic on wood decay fungi especially Peniphora species.
They are not on the surface of the wood but in cracks in the bark where they can reach the host fungus.
They have no stalk or cap but are irregularly lobed.
The bright yellow fungus has a smooth shiny surface.
They can be up to 5 cm high and extend over a wider area.
Dried out fruit bodies are a darker red or reddish-orange and tougher.
They can rehydrate to their original condition.
The fertile area (hymenium) is smooth with spores formed in basidia cells just below the surface.
The tips of the basidia can be seen and the spore print is pale yellow to white.
J.F.
