Tremella fuciformis Berk.

Common name: Jelly Fungus or White Jelly Fungus.

Description: The fungus forms soft, white, gelatinous masses which are closely pressed to the wood substratum. While the overall shape is difficult to describe, on close inspection the mass is seen to be composed of small curved plates or leaves piled together; sometimes the masses are rather distorted and lobed. The texture is gelatinous and the flesh appears translucent; the surface is very moist but is not coated in slime.

The spores measure 69.5 × 57 µm and are ellipsoidal, smooth and colourless, but white in mass.

Substratum: Old logs on the forest floor. Usually the fungus is solitary, but occasionally up to seven or eight fruiting bodies may be found together.

Distribution: Recorded from subtropical rainforests in Queensland and from cool temperate forests in Victorian and Tasmania. Not yet recorded from New South Wales, but it is almost certain to be found in similar forests in that State.

Notes: This species is edible and it is used in Chinese and Asian cooking. One method employs it as the base for a type of dessert. A permit from the relevant National Parks and Wildlife or Forestry Departments is required in most areas before this fungus may be collected.