''Phaeotremella foliacea'' (synonym ''Tremella foliacea'') is a species of fungus in the family

Phaeotremellaceae The Phaeotremellaceae are a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. The family currently contains two genera. References {{Taxonbar, from=Q27694646 Tremellomycetes Phaeotremellaceae The Phaeotremellaceae are a family of fungi in the ord ...

. It produces brownish,

frondose Frondosity (from Latin ''frondōsus'' meaning 'leafy') is the property of an organism that normally flourishes with fronds or leaf-like structures. Many frondose organisms are thalloid and lack the organization of tissues into organs, with the ...

, gelatinous basidiocarps (fruit bodies) and is parasitic on the mycelium of ''

Stereum sanguinolentum ''Stereum sanguinolentum'' is a species of fungus in the Stereaceae family. A plant pathogen, it causes red heart rot, a red discoloration on conifers, particularly spruces or Douglas-firs. Fruit bodies are produced on dead wood, or sometimes on ...

'', a fungus that grows on dead attached and recently fallen branches of conifers. It is widespread in north temperate regions. In the UK it has the recommended English name leafy brain and has also been called jelly leaf and brown witch's butter. Prior to 2017, the name ''Tremella foliacea'' was also applied to similar-looking species on broadleaf trees, now distinguished as '' Phaeotremella frondosa'' and ''Phaeotremella fimbriata''.

Taxonomy

''Tremella foliacea'' was first published in 1800 by South African-born

mycologist Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungus, fungi, including their genetics, genetic and biochemistry, biochemical properties, their Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy and ethnomycology, their use to humans, including as a so ...

Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Christiaan Hendrik Persoon (1 February 1761 – 16 November 1836) was a German mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus' mushroom taxonomy. Early life Persoon was born in South Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, the third child of an immig ...

. The name remained in use until

molecular A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and bioche ...

research, based on cladistic analysis of DNA sequences, showed that ''Tremella foliacea'' was not closely related to the type species of ''

Tremella ''Tremella'' is a genus of fungi in the family Tremellaceae. All ''Tremella'' species are parasites of other fungi and most produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies), when produced, are gelatinous and are colloquially classed a ...

'' but belonged in a separate genus, ''

Phaeotremella ''Phaeotremella'' is a genus of fungi in the family (biology), family Phaeotremellaceae. All ''Phaeotremella'' species are parasitism, parasites of other fungi and produce anamorphic yeast states. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies), when produced, are g ...

''. Further research revealed that the name ''Tremella foliacea'' covered several similar but distinct species, the name ''Phaeotremella foliacea'' being restricted to the fungus growing on conifers. The

epithet An epithet (, ), also byname, is a descriptive term (word or phrase) known for accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, di ...

"foliacea" means "leafy", with reference to the shape of the fruit bodies.

Herman Phaff Herman Jan Phaff (May 30, 1913 – August 24, 2001) was a scientist who specialised in yeast ecology. He was born in the Netherlands before moving to California at age of 26. He was active in Californian universities until his death. During his ca ...

and L. do Carmo Sousa described the yeast ''Cryptococcus skinneri'' in 1962 from the

frass Frass refers loosely to the more or less solid excreta of insects, and to certain other related matter. Definition and etymology ''Frass'' is an informal term and accordingly it is variously used and variously defined. It is derived from the ...

of the beetle ''Scolytus tsugae'' feeding on Western Hemlock ('' Tsuga heterophylla''). DNA sequencing has shown that this is the yeast state of ''Phaeotremella foliacea''.

Description

Fruit bodies are gelatinous, brown to dark brown, up to 5 cm (2 in) across, and seaweed-like (with branched, undulating fronds). Microscopically, the

hypha A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium. Structure A hypha consists of one or ...

e are clamped and occur in a dense gelatinous matrix. Haustorial cells arise on the hyphae, producing filaments that attach to and penetrate the hyphae of the host. The basidia are tremelloid (globose to ellipsoid, with oblique to vertical septa), 12 to 18 by 10 to 14

μm The micrometre ( international spelling as used by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures; SI symbol: μm) or micrometer (American spelling), also commonly known as a micron, is a unit of length in the International System of Unit ...

, usually unstalked. The

basidiospores A basidiospore is a reproductive spore produced by Basidiomycete fungi, a grouping that includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts. Basidiospores typically each contain one haploid nucleus that is the product of meiosis, and they are pro ...

are mostly ellipsoid, smooth, 5.5 to 9.5 by 4.5 to 8.5 μm, and germinate by hyphal tube or by yeast cells.

Similar species

'' Phaeotremella frondosa'' is a common and widespread species parasitizing '' Stereum'' species on broadleaf trees. It often produces larger and paler fruit bodies than ''Phaeotremella foliacea''. ''Phaeotremella fimbriata'' is a European species parasitizing ''

Stereum rugosum ''Stereum'' is the type genus of the Stereaceae family of fungi, in the Russulales order. Until recently, the genus was classified in the Corticiaceae family, of the Corticiales order. However, it was given its own family as a result of the split ...

'' on broadleaf trees. Its fruitbodies are comparatively small and dark brown to black. ''Phaeotremella eugeniae'' is its temperate Asian counterpart.

Habitat and distribution

''Phaeotremella foliacea'' is a parasite of ''

'', growing on the host's hyphae in the wood rather than on the host's fruit bodies. Following its hosts, fruit bodies of ''P. foliacea'' are typically found on dead, attached or recently fallen branches of conifers. The species is known from North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q882168 Tremellomycetes Fungi described in 1800 Fungi of Asia Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America Taxa named by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon