Fauna
Fungus

Snow Fungus

Tremella fuciformis

Also known as Silver Ear Fungus, White Jelly Mushroom, Snow Ear, White Cloud Ears

Snow fungus forms delicate, translucent, ruffled masses resembling submerged marine algae or frozen rosettes clinging to decaying hardwood. Rather than decomposing dead wood directly, this gelatinous fungus operates as a mycoparasite, invading and feeding upon the hidden mycelium of wood-decaying Pyrenomycetes such as Annulohypoxylon. In dry conditions, the glistening white fronds shrivel into a thin, inconspicuous crust, only to revive into full, soft gelatin within hours of rainfall.

Jelly FungusParasitic FungusTranslucent
Snow Fungus reference1 / 7
(c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAnnulohypoxylon archeri mycelium, Hypoxylon mycelium
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus gnats
  • Pleasing fungus beetles
ThreatsDeforestation and clear-cutting of mature mixed-hardwood canopies
HabitatsSubtropical and tropical broadleaf woodlands on fallen hardwood branches
Life spanFruit body persists 1–3 weeks; mycelium survives multiple years
Classification
  1. FamilyTremellaceae
  2. SpeciesTremella fuciformis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting Texture: Look for ruffled, sea-sponge-like white clusters on fallen hardwood logs after summer rains.
  • Observing Hydration: Check back on dried specimens after precipitation to watch the shriveled mass re-swell into translucent fronds.
Related species
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