Convoluted to brain-like [Brain jelly & look-alikes]


The fruitbody of a fungus in this group has irregular folds, sometimes looking like a piece of cloth that has been scrunched up but the fruitbodies may also have a more convoluted to brain-like appearance.

 

There is no stem, so if you have something convoluted on a stem go to https://canberra.naturemapr.org/categories/guide/1705?1=1.

 

Most commonly seen are the jelly-like fruitbodies of the genus Tremella, which you find on wood. They may be white, yellow, orange or brown.

 

Warning

 

As conditions become drier Tremella fruitbodies lose their jelly-like texture, soon feel like firm rubber and eventually may become solid and unpliable. With dryness the convolutions become less intricate. Rewetting restores the initial texture and shape.

 

 If you find something convoluted to brain-like on soil you may have:

 

(1) A species of Hydnoplicata. The fruitbodies are fleshy to rubbery (never jelly-like) and dirty-white to pale brownish. They show gentle folds externally, but if cut often show much infolding. This genus is included with the truffles (https://canberra.naturemapr.org/categories/guide/1752?1=1).

 

 (2) A cyanobacterium, such as Nostoc (https://canberra.naturemapr.org/species/9060),  which is jelly-like and has a khaki to greenish colour when hydrated.

 


Convoluted to brain-like [Brain jelly & look-alikes]

1,899,378 sightings of 21,125 species in 9,329 locations from 12,967 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.