White jelly mushroom

Description:

Tremella fuciformis is a species of fungus; it produces white, frond-like, gelatinous basidiocarps (fruiting bodies). It is widespread, especially in the tropics, where it can be found on the dead branches of broadleaf trees. This fungus is commercially cultivated and is one of the most popular fungi in the cuisine and medicine of China.[1] Tremella fuciformis is commonly known as snow fungus, silver ear fungus, and white jelly mushroom.[1] Tremella fuciformis is a parasitic yeast, and grows as a slimy, mucous-like film until it encounters its preferred hosts, various species of Annulohypoxylon (or possibly Hypoxylon) fungi, whereupon it then invades, triggering the aggressive mycelial growth required to form the fruiting bodies.

Habitat:

Tremella fuciformis is known to be a parasite of Hypoxylon species.[5] Many of these species were reassigned to a new genus, Annulohypoxylon, in 2005[2] including its preferred host, Annulohypoxylon archeri,[1][2] the species routinely used in commercial cultivation. Following its host, fruit bodies are typically found on dead, attached or recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees. The species is mainly tropical and subtropical, but extends into temperate areas in Asia and North America. It is known throughout South and Central America,[7] the Caribbean,[7] parts of North America,[8] sub-Saharan Africa,[9] southern and eastern Asia,[5] Australia,[10] New Zealand,[11] and the Pacific Islands.