''Phaeotremella frondosa'' (synonym ''Tremella frondosa'') is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from th ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

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 ...

producing 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). It is widespread in north

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

regions, and is parasitic on other species of fungi ('' Stereum'' spp.) that grow on dead attached and recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees.

Taxonomy

''Tremella frondosa'' was first published in 1822 by Swedish

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 ...

Elias Magnus Fries Elias Magnus Fries (15 August 1794 – 8 February 1878) was a Swedish mycologist and botanist. Career Fries was born at Femsjö (Hylte Municipality), Småland, the son of the pastor there. He attended school in Växjö. He acquired ...

. The species was not clearly distinguished from ''Tremella foliacea'' 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 the name ''Tremella foliacea'' covered several similar but distinct species. ''Phaeotremella frondosa'' is the name adopted for the widespread species growing on broadleaf trees, whilst '' Phaeotremella foliacea'' is restricted to 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 ...

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

Description

Fruit bodies are gelatinous, pale to dark brown, up to 7 cm (3 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), 13 to 18 by 12 to 16

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 subglobose to broadly ellipsoid, smooth, 6.5 to 10.5 by 5 to 9 μm, and germinate by hyphal tube or by

yeast Yeasts are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms classified as members of the fungus kingdom. The first yeast originated hundreds of millions of years ago, and at least 1,500 species are currently recognized. They are estimated to constitut ...

cells.

Similar species

'' Phaeotremella foliacea'' parasitizes '' Stereum sanguinolentum'' on conifers. ''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 frondosa'' is a parasite of '' Stereum'' species, including '' S. hirsutum'' and '' S. rugosum'', growing on the host's hyphae in the wood rather than on the host's fruit bodies. Following its hosts, fruit bodies of ''P. frondosa'' are typically found on dead, attached or recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees. The species is known from North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

References

External links

*
Mushroom Expert
– photos and description Tremella Foliacea

{{Taxonbar, from=Q108176677 Tremellomycetes Fungi described in 1822 Fungi of Asia Fungi of Europe Fungi of North America