Content
Brain tremella (lat. Tremella encephala) or brain-shaped is a jelly-like shapeless mushroom that grows in many regions of Russia. It is mainly found in the north of the country and within temperate latitudes, parasitizing on Stereum sanguinolentum, which, in turn, prefers to settle on fallen coniferous trees.
What does brain tremors look like?
As you can see in the photo below, the cerebral tremors are similar in appearance to the human brain - hence the name of the species. The surface of the fruit body is matte, pale pink or slightly yellowish. If you cut it, you will find a hard white core inside.
The mushroom has no legs. It attaches directly to trees or Stereum rubensum, on which this species parasitizes.The diameter of the fruiting body varies from 1 to 3 cm.
Sometimes individual fruiting bodies grow together into shapeless formations of 2-3 pieces
Where and how does it grow
Brain tremors bear fruit from mid-summer to September, however, depending on the place of growth, these dates may shift slightly. It can be found on dead tree trunks and stumps (both deciduous and coniferous). Most often, this species settles on fallen pine trees.
The distribution area of the brain tremors includes North America, northern Asia and Europe.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
This species belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms. It should not be eaten.
Doubles and their differences
Orange tremella (lat. Tremella mesenterica) is the most common lookalike of this species. Its appearance also in many ways resembles the human brain, however, it is much brighter in color - the surface of the fruiting body differs from many related varieties in its rich orange, sometimes yellowish color. Old specimens shrink slightly, becoming covered with deep folds.
In wet weather, the color of the fruiting bodies fades, approaching light ocher tones. The dimensions of the false species are 2-8 cm, some specimens grow up to 10 cm.
In dry weather, the false twin dries out and decreases in size.
This species lives mainly on rotten wood and rotten stumps of deciduous trees, however, occasionally large accumulations of fruiting bodies can be found on coniferous trees. Peak fruiting of the twin occurs in August.
Conclusion
Brain tremors are a small inedible mushroom that is found in deciduous and coniferous forests throughout Russia. It can be confused with some other related species, however, none of them are poisonous.
