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Trembling brain (lat. Tremella encephala) or brain-shaped – a jelly-like shapeless mushroom that grows in many regions of Our Country. It is mainly found in the north of the country and within temperate latitudes, parasitizing on the blushing stereum (lat. Stereum sanguinolentum), which, in turn, prefers to settle on fallen coniferous trees.
What does a brain tremor look like
As you can see in the photo below, the brain tremor looks like a human brain – hence the name of the species. The surface of the fruiting body is dull, pale pink or slightly yellowish. If incised, a hard white core can be found inside.
The fungus has no legs. It attaches directly to trees or to the blushing stereum, on which this species parasitizes. The diameter of the fruiting body varies from 1 to 3 cm.
Sometimes individual fruiting bodies grow together into shapeless formations of 2-3 pieces.
Where and how to grow
The brain tremor bears fruit from mid-summer to September, however, depending on the place of growth, these terms may shift slightly. It can be found on dead tree trunks and stumps (both deciduous and coniferous). Most often, this species settles on fallen pines.
The area of distribution of the brain tremor includes North America, northern Asia and Europe.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This species belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms. It cannot be used for food.
Twins and their differences
Trembling orange (lat. Tremella mesenterica) is the most common twin of this species. Its appearance also largely resembles the human brain, however, it is much brighter in color – the surface of the fruiting body differs from many related varieties in a rich orange color, sometimes yellowish. Old specimens shrink slightly, becoming covered with deep folds.
In humid weather, the color of the fruiting bodies fades, approaching light ocher tones. The dimensions of the false species are 2-8 cm, some specimens grow up to 10 cm.
In dry weather, the false twin dries up, decreasing in size.
This variety lives mainly on rotten wood and rotten stumps of hardwoods, however, occasionally large clusters of fruiting bodies can be found on coniferous trees. The peak of fruiting of the twin falls on August.
Conclusion
Brain trembling is a small inedible mushroom that is found in deciduous and coniferous forests throughout Our Country. It can be confused with some other related varieties, however, none of them are poisonous.
