A colourful parasite

The blackened remains of a large patch of gorse set alight by the local youth last year are once again generously bejewelled with bright orange fungi.

The fungus is Tremella mesenterica, commonly known as the yellow brain fungus, the golden jelly fungus, the yellow trembler, and yellow witches' butter. Although it looks a little like a brain its scientific name translates as "trembling intestine. Often found on dead gorse, Tremella is a parasite of other wood decaying fungi, particularly those in the genus Peniophora.


Today I felt a rare selfie coming on. You can see it as an "extra".