''Sebacina sparassoidea'', the white coral jelly fungus, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

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

in the

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'' Sebacinaceae''. Its coral-like

basidiocarps In fungi, a basidiocarp, basidiome, or basidioma () is the sporocarp of a basidiomycete, the multicellular structure on which the spore-producing hymenium is borne. Basidiocarps are characteristic of the hymenomycetes; rusts and smuts do no ...

(fruit bodies) are typically a yellowish off-white and have a gelatinous and elastic texture. Found in eastern North America, in humid environments amongst rotting logs of deciduous trees, particularly oaks, it is often observed growing throughout the months of August to September.

Taxonomy

The white coral jelly fungus was first described in 1873 by British

mycologist Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy, genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans. Fungi can be a source of tinder, food, traditional medicine, as well as entheogens, poison, and ...

Miles Joseph Berkeley Miles Joseph Berkeley (1 April 1803 – 30 July 1889) was an English cryptogamist and clergyman, and one of the founders of the science of plant pathology. Life Berkeley was born at Biggin Hall, Benefield, Northamptonshire, and educated at ...

as a

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, var. ''reticulatum'', of ''Corticium tremellinum''. In 1908 it was raised to species level and placed in the genus '' Tremella'', as ''Tremella reticulata'', by American mycologist William Gilson Farlow. In 2003 British mycologist Peter Roberts re-examined the species and transferred it to the genus '' Sebacina''. Since a different species (''Sebacina reticulata'' Pat.) already existed with the species epithet ''reticulata'', the new combination in ''Sebacina'' was applied to the earliest available synonym, as ''Sebacina sparassoidea''.

Description

Fruit bodies of the white coral jelly fungus are composed of multiple, erect, coalescing, hollow lobes or branches arising from a central point. Such structures are roughly 3 to 20 cm in diameter and 3 to 12 cm tall. The associated

spore print 300px, Making a spore print of the mushroom ''Volvariella volvacea'' shown in composite: (photo lower half) mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; (photo upper half) cap removed after 24 hours showing warm orange ("tussock") color spore print. ...

is white. Microscopically, the

hyphae 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 o ...

lack clamp connections.

Basidia A basidium (: basidia) is a microscopic spore-producing structure found on the hymenophore of reproductive bodies of basidiomycete fungi. The presence of basidia is one of the main characteristic features of the group. These bodies are also ...

are septate.

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 pr ...

are ellipsoid, 9–13 × 6–7 μm.

Edibility

Sources disagree about edibility. However it is never considered dangerous, nor is it of exceptional culinary use.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10664967 Sebacinales Fungus species