Nature on our doorsteps: Jelly-like fungi

While autumn is a great time of the year to see a lot of different types of mushrooms and fungi, there are still interesting examples to be spotted now, in springtime.

A fascinating group of fungi are the jelly-like species, so named because they look and feel a bit rubbery and wobbly.

The Ear Fungus is a tan-coloured fungus with a purple or red tint.

Young specimens have a smooth cup shape, while older ones take on a floppy appearance.

The underside of the fungus has folds and wrinkles that can look like veins, making it appear like the inside of an ear.

This fungus tends to grow in a group, breaking down the wood in decaying branches of Elder trees.  It can be seen in its rubbery fresh form, or alternatively as a dried-up, wizened specimen.

Ear Fungus is also referred to by other names such as Wood Ear or Jelly Ears.

Ear Fungus grows on decaying Elder wood

It was once widely called Judas Ears because it grows on the Elder tree which is linked by biblical references to the apostle Judas Iscariot.

Another fascinating jelly-like fungus is the Yellow Brain Fungus.

This can be bright yellow to orange in colour and, as it grows, it forms a clump of small creases and folds, just like the outside of a brain.

Other names for this fungus are Yellow Trembler and Golden Jelly Fungus.

Interestingly, while the Yellow Brain is seen growing on dead wood, it does not actually feed on the wood itself.

Instead, because it is a parasite, it feeds on other fungi such as crust-forming species that feed directly inside the wood.

Therefore, even in the world of fungi, nature keeps a balance where some species act to keep other species under control.

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