Scientific name: Dacrymyces chrysospermus Berk. & M.
A. Curtis
Derivation of name: Dacry- means "tear" (as in weeping)
and -myces means "fungus." Chrys- means "golden" and
-spermus means "seed" in reference to the yellow spores
en masse.
Synonyms: Dacrymyces palmatus (Schwein.) Burt;
Tremella palmata Schwein.
Common name(s): Orange jelly; Orange witch's butter.
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Order: Dacrymycetales
Family: Dacrymycetaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; forming dense
clusters on decaying conifer wood; May through November.
Dimensions: Fruitbodies 1-6 cm wide and up to 2.5 cm
high.
Description: Irregular brainlike or lobed gelatinous mass;
yellowish-orange to orange; whitish near the rooting point
of attachment.
Edibility: Edible.
Comments:
Resembles Tremella mesenterica but T.
mesenterica occurs on hardwoods and lacks the white
rooting base.
![](../images/Dacrymyces%20palmatus%20habit%20GE.jpg)
Figure 1. Can you see Dacrymyces chrysospermus on the
hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) trunk?
Photo © Gary Emberger.
![](../images/Dacrymyces%20palmatus%20habit2%20GE.jpg)
Figure 2. A closer view. Photo © Gary Emberger.
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![](../images/Dacrymyces%20palmatus%20closeup%20habit%20GE.jpg)
Figure 3. Characteristic, irregular, gelatinous masses.
Photo © Gary Emberger.
![](../images/Dacrymyces%20palmatus%20white%20base%20GE.jpg)
Figure 4. The white mycelium at the point of attachment is an
important field character. You may have to dig out the cluster
in order
to see it. Photo © Gary Emberger.
![](../images/Dacrymyces%20palmatus%20upside%20down%20GE.jpg)
Figure 5. The narrow point of attachment.
Photo © Gary Emberger.
![](../images/Dacrymyces%20palmatus%20dry%20GE.jpg)
Figure 6. When dry, Dacrymyces chrysospermus
develops a
reddish-orange color.
Photo © Gary Emberger.
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