Dacrymyces chrysospermus is a species of jelly fungus in the familyDacrymycetaceae. In the UK it has the recommended English name of orange jelly spot;[1] in North America it is known as orange jelly or orange witch's butter.[2]
Description
The species is saprotrophic and grows on dead coniferous wood. The basidiocarps are gelatinous, bright orange, and extremely variable in shape, but typically stoutly stipitate with a spoon- or cup-shaped, spore-bearing head. They are frequently erumpent in groups, often coalescing to form complex masses up to 6 cm (2+1⁄2 in) across.[3] Microscopically it is distinguished from most other species of Dacrymyces by its comparatively large (18–23 by 6.5–8 μm), 7-septatebasidiospores.[3][4]
Similar species
Tremella mesenterica and Naematelia aurantia are macroscopically identical to D. chrysospermus but can easily be separated by their growth on hardwood as well as their microscopic characteristics. While looking so similar, they belong to a different class of fungi, Tremellomycetes.[5][6]
^Emberger, Gary. "Dacrymyces chrysospermus". Fungi Growing on Wood. Messiah College Oakes Museum. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
^ abcMcNabb, RF (1973). "Taxonomic studies in the Dacrymycetaceae: VIII. Dacrymyces Nees ex Fries". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 11 (3): 461–524. doi:10.1080/0028825X.1973.10430296.