Ascocoryne sarcoides

Not to be confused with Jelly Drops, a brand of hydrating confectionary.

Ascocoryne sarcoides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Leotiomycetes
Order: Helotiales
Family: Helotiaceae
Genus: Ascocoryne
Species:
A. sarcoides
Binomial name
Ascocoryne sarcoides
Synonyms
  • Lichen sarcoides Jacq. (1781)
  • Coryne sarcoides (Jacq.) Tul. & C.Tul. (1865)
  • Bulgaria sarcoides (Jacq.) Dicks.
  • Octospora sarcoides (Pers.) Gray (1821)
  • Pirobasidium sarcoides (Jacq.) Höhn (1902)

Ascocoryne sarcoides is a species of fungus in the family Helotiaceae. The species name is derived from the Greek sarkodes (fleshy). Formerly known as Coryne sarcoides, its taxonomical history has been complicated by the fact that it may adopt both sexual and asexual forms. Colloquially known as jelly drops[1] or the purple jellydisc,[2] this common fungus appears as a gelatinous mass of pinkish or purple-colored discs. Distributed widely in North America, Eurasia, and Oceania,[3] A. sarcoides is a saprobic fungus and grows in clusters on the trunks and branches of a variety of dead woods. Field studies suggest that colonization by A. sarcoides of the heartwood of black spruce confers some resistance to further infection by rot-causing fungi. A. sarcoides contains the antibiotic compound ascocorynin, shown in the laboratory to inhibit the growth of several gram-positive bacteria.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hall1985 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference urlPurple Jellydisc - Ascocoryne sarcoides was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference FUNGIFLIP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).