Naematelia aurantia
This orange, brain-like, gelatinous fungus, shiny when wet and dull when dry, parasitizes hairy curtain crust.
Appearance
- Orange, gelatinous mass of convoluted folds with blunt margins, resembling a brain, about 2-10 cm. wide
- Without a stipe (stem)
- Shiny when wet, dull and stiff when dry
- Grows scattered
ID Tips
- May be confused with witch’s butter (Tremella mesenterica), which can only be distinguished microscopically, but if growing on hairy curtain crust (Stereum hirsutum), it is golden ear
At Edgewood
- See iNaturalist for observations in Edgewood
About
- Basidiomycetes – a major lineage of fungi that usually produce spores within basidia (club-like structures)
- Found throughout our mushroom season
- Parasitizes hairy curtain crust (Stereum hirsutum), which feeds on dead hardwood (e.g. oaks)
- Edibility (San Mateo County Parks prohibits removal of any natural material)
- Edible, but flavorless
- Unless you are an expert, do not pick and consume wild mushrooms
Fun Facts
- Golden ear belongs to a group of fungi known as jelly fungi, since many have gelatinous basidiocarps (fruit bodies) which are well adapted to periodic drying
- About 20 species in this group have been reported in California
Learn More
Roehl, T. 2017, Jul. 14. #013: Characteristics of division Basidiomycota. Fungus Fact List. Fungus Fact Friday.
Roehl, T. 2017, Jul. 7. #048: Mushroom morphology: Jelly fungi. Fungus Fact List. Fungus Fact Friday.
References
Desjardin, D.E., M.G. Wood, and F.A. Stevens. 2016. California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.
Wood, M., and F. Stevens. 2022. Naematelia aurantia. The Fungi of California. MykoWeb.