Trembling brain (Tremella encephala)
- Division: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Tremellomycetes (Tremellomycetes)
- Subclass: Tremellomycetidae (Tremellomycetidae)
- Order: Tremellales (Tremellales)
- Family: Tremellaceae (trembling)
- Genus: Tremella (trembling)
- Type: Tremella encephala (Tremella brain)
- Trembling cerebellum
Trembling brain (lat. Tremella encephala) is a species of fungus of the genus Drozhalka, which has a pink, jelly-like fruiting body. Widespread in northern temperate latitudes.
External Description
This trembling is inconspicuous, but it is interesting in that after the incision of the fruiting body, a dense, irregularly white core is noticeable inside. Gelatinous, translucent, small-tuberculous fruiting bodies, adhering to the tree, having an irregular rounded shape and a width of about 1-3 centimeters, painted yellowish or whitish. The inner part is an opaque, dense, irregularly shaped formation – this is the mycelial plexus of the blood-red stereum fungus, on which this trembling parasitizes. Ovate, smooth, colorless spores, size – 10-15 x 7-9 microns.
Edibility
Inedible.
Habitat
Often it can be found only on dead branches of coniferous trees, mainly pines.
Season
Summer autumn.
Similar species
In appearance, it is very similar to the edible orange shaker, which develops exclusively on deciduous trees and is distinguished by a bright yellow color.