Leaf shaker (Phaeotremella frondosa) photo and description

Leaf Trembling (Phaeotremella frondosa)

:

• Naematelia frondosa
• Tremella blackening
• Phaeotremella pseudofoliacea

Parasitic on various Stereum species growing on hardwoods, this well-known jelly-like fungus is quite easily identified by its brown color and well-developed individual lobules that strongly resemble “petals”, “leaves”.

Fruit body is a mass of densely packed slices. Overall dimensions are approximately 4 to 20 centimeters across and 2 to 7 cm high, of various shapes. Individual lobes: 2–5 cm across and 1–2 mm thick. The outer edge is even, each lobule becomes wrinkled to the point of attachment.

The surface is bare, moist, oily-moist in wet weather and sticky in dry weather.

Color from light brownish to brown, dark brown. Old specimens may darken to almost black.

Pulp gelatinous, translucent, brown.

Leg absent.

Smell and taste: no special smell and taste.

Chemical reactions: KOH – negative on the surface. Iron salts – negative on the surface.

Microscopic Features

Spores: 5–8,5 x 4–6 µm, ellipsoid with prominent apiculus, smooth, smooth, hyaline in KOH.

Basidia up to about 20 x 15 µm, ellipsoid to round, almost spherical. There is a longitudinal septum and 4 long, finger-like sterigmata.

Hyphae 2,5–5 µm wide; often gelatinized, cloisonne, pinched.

It parasitizes various Stereum species such as Stereum rugosum (Wrinkled Stereum), Stereum ostrea and Stereum compplicatum. Grows on dry wood of hardwoods.

Leafy tremble can be found in spring, autumn, or even winter in warm climates. The fungus is widely distributed in Europe, Asia, North America. Occurs frequently.

Unknown. There is no data on toxicity.

Leafy trembling (Phaeotremella foliacea)

growing on coniferous wood, its fruiting bodies can reach larger sizes.

Photo: Andrey.