FungiIUCN NEIn Progress Recent Sighting
Tremella fuciformis
Snow Fungus / White Jelly Mushroom
Berk., 1856
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
Tremella fuciformis is a basidiomycete fungus with a gelatinous, translucent, and branched fruiting body reminiscent of seaweed or a piece of snowy coral. It can reach up to 7 cm in width, formed by thin, wavy lobes of pure white. Unlike most fungi that feed directly on wood, this species is a mycoparasite: it requires the presence of fungi from the Annulohypoxylon genus to grow, from which it obtains nutrients while indirectly decomposing wood. When dried, the fungus shrinks drastically becoming a hard, yellowish crust, but it regains its gelatinous shape and texture almost instantly upon rehydration.
Added by
Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
Last modified by
Julia Trouin
Taxonomy
PhylumBasidiomycota
ClassTremellomycetes
OrderTremellales
FamilyTremellaceae
GenusTremella
Taxonomic AuthorityBerk., 1856
Ecology & Status
Origin
Native
Population Trend
Stable
Edibility
--
Cap Shape
--
Hymenium Type
--
Fruiting Season
Year Round
Recent Sightings
Yes
Habitat Summary Multi-lang
It inhabits tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, growing on dead logs and branches of broad-leaved trees. It prefers microclimates with very high relative humidity and warm temperatures. It is common in secondary forests and disturbed areas where its host fungus (Annulohypoxylon) has already colonized the wood. In Costa Rica, it is frequent in humid zones on both slopes, appearing on decaying wood during the rainy season.Substrate Multi-lang
Information not available in English. Help us expand this record!Behaviour Multi-lang
It is an organism with 'team' biology. By parasitizing Annulohypoxylon, it indirectly facilitates the decomposition of hardwood, recycling nutrients in the ecosystem. Its fruiting bodies provide a very humid microhabitat for small forest invertebrates. It is extremely sensitive to air quality and constant humidity.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
2.0 - 7.0 cm
Hymenium Structures
No hymenium surface images available.
Evolutionary Adaptations Multi-lang
Obligate Mycoparasitism: The fungus cannot produce fruiting bodies without the presence of a specific ascomycete fungus. It has evolved to invade host hyphae via specialized haustoria, allowing it to tap into resources the host has already extracted from the hardwood.
Extreme Rehydration Capacity: Its polysaccharides allow it to retain up to 500 times its weight in water. This adaptation lets it survive drought periods on exposed wood and resume spore production within minutes after rain.
Main Threats Multi-lang
Wild overharvesting: In some regions, intensive collection for the traditional medicine market may reduce local populations, although most supply currently comes from commercial cultivation.
Interesting Facts Multi-lang
Yang Guifei's Beauty Secret: It is said that one of the four beauties of ancient China used this fungus to keep her skin youthful and glowing. Today, Tremella extract is a popular ingredient in high-end cosmetics for outperforming the hydrating capacity of hyaluronic acid.