Yellow Brain Fungus (Tremella mesenterica)

A Yellow Brain Fungus on gorse

The Yellow Brain Fungus, sometimes also known as the Jelly Brain Fungus, is relatively common and widespread in the New Forest and is most often noticed on the dead branches of gorse bushes. It also occurs, though, albeit to a lesser extent, on a range of trees that include birch, willow, oak and beech.

Present as a fruiting body all-the-year-round, although of modest size, the Yellow Brain Fungus is often very conspicuous and therefore very likely to be seen when walking on New Forest heathlands.

Perhaps best described as oddly shaped, the common name clearly derives from its brain-like appearance. Intriguingly, however, the scientific name, perhaps equally appropriately, recalls the Greek for 'like the middle intestine'.

The initially translucent, pale to bright yellow, eventually orange, contorted lobes and folds when young are of almost jelly-like consistency and can very exceptionally measure up to 8 centimetres across.

The Yellow Brain Fungus is inedible.

Warning: refer to a good, comprehensive fungus field guide to confirm identification, and only eat those species known without any doubt whatsoever to be edible - people have died after eating certain poisonous specimens.

References:
Mushrooms and other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe - Roger Phillips
The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and North-western Europe - Marcel Bon
Fungi of Britain and Europe - Stefan Buczacki and John Wilkinson
The MacDonald Encyclopedia of Mushrooms and Toadstools - Giovanni Pacioni
Fungi of the New Forest: A Mycota - Edited by Gordon Dickson and Ann Leonard
A Passion for Mushrooms - Antonio Carluccio