| Tremella mesenterica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Tremella mesenterica with Peniophora host | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Tremellomycetes |
| Order: | Tremellales |
| Family: | Tremellaceae |
| Genus: | Tremella |
| Species: | T. mesenterica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tremella mesenterica Retz. (1769)
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Helvella mesenterica Schaeff. (1774) | |
Tremella mesenterica | |
|---|---|
 | Smooth hymenium |
 | No distinct cap |
 | Hymenium attachment is not applicable |
| Lacks a stipe |
 | Spore print is white to yellow |
 | Ecology is parasitic |
 | Edibility is edible |
Tremella mesenterica (common names include yellow brain, golden jelly fungus, yellow trembler, and witches' butter[2]) is a common jelly fungus in the family Tremellaceae of the Agaricomycotina. The gelatinous, orange-yellow fruit body of the fungus, which can grow up to 7.5 cm (3 in) diameter, has a convoluted or lobed surface that is greasy or slimy when damp.
It is most frequently found on both dead but attached and recently fallen branches, especially of angiosperms, as a parasite of wood decay fungi in the genus Peniophora.[3] It also grows in crevices in bark, appearing during rainy weather. Within a few days after rain it dries into a thin film or shriveled mass capable of reviving after subsequent rain. This fungus occurs widely in deciduous and mixed forests and is widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions, including those of Africa, Australia, Eurasia, and the Americas. Although considered bland and flavorless, the fungus is edible. It produces carbohydrates that have attracted research interest because of their various biological activities.