What is Jelly fungus?
{{Taxobox | name = Jelly fungi | image = Tremella_closeup.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = A jelly fungus (''Tremella'' cf. ''fuciformis'') | regnum = [[Fungus|Fungi]] | phylum = [[Basidiomycota]] | subdivisio = [[Agaricomycotina]]}} [[File:Grüngelbes Gallertkäppchen Leotia lubrica.JPG|thumb|right|250px|''Leotia lubrica'', the jelly baby fungus. Sources vary as to whether it is edible or inedible]] '''Jelly fungi''' are a [[paraphyletic]] group of several [[Fungi|fungal]] orders from different classes of the subphylum [[Agaricomycotina]].<ref> Deacon J. 2005. Jelly fungi, in ''Fungal biology''. Blackwell. </ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tolweb.org/Agaricomycotina/20531|title=Agaricomycotina|website=tolweb.org|access-date=2013-08-07|archive-date=2015-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913160035/http://tolweb.org/Agaricomycotina/20531|url-status=dead}}</ref> The name comes from their form, or [[growth habit]]. Their [[mushroom|fruiting body]] is [[foliose]] or irregularly branched. It looks like jelly. Actually, many are somewhat rubbery and gelatinous. When dried, jelly fungi become hard and shriveled; when exposed to [[water]], they return to their original form. Some jelly fungi can be eaten raw; [[poisonous]] jelly fungi are rare. However, many species have an unpalatable texture or taste. However, some species, ''[[Snow fungus|Tremella fuciformis]]'' for example, are not only edible but prized for use in soup and vegetable dishes. == References == {{reflist}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Mushrooms]]