Content
Brain tremor (lat.Tremella encephala) or cerebral is a jelly-like shapeless mushroom that grows in many regions of Russia. It is mainly found in the north of the country and within temperate latitudes, parasitizing on the reddening stereum (Latin Stereum sanguinolentum), which, in turn, prefers to settle on fallen conifers.
What does a brain tremor look like?
As you can see in the photo below, the brain tremor looks like a human brain - hence the name of the species. The surface of the fruiting body is dull, pale pink or slightly yellowish. If cut, you can find a solid white core inside.
The mushroom has no legs. It attaches directly to trees or a reddening stereum on which this species parasitizes. The diameter of the fruiting body varies from 1 to 3 cm.
Sometimes individual fruiting bodies grow together into shapeless formations of 2-3 pieces
Where and how it grows
The cerebral tremor bears fruit from mid-summer to September, however, depending on the place of growth, these periods may shift slightly. It can be found on dead tree trunks and stumps (both deciduous and coniferous). Most often, this species settles on fallen pines.
The distribution area of the cerebral shiver includes North America, northern Asia and Europe.
Is the mushroom edible or not
This species belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms. It cannot be eaten.
Doubles and their differences
The orange tremor (Latin Tremella mesenterica) is the most common twin of this species. Its appearance also resembles a human brain in many ways, however, it is colored much brighter - the surface of the fruit body differs from many related species in its rich orange color, sometimes yellowish. Older specimens shrink slightly, becoming covered with deep folds.
In wet weather, the color of the fruit bodies fades, approaching light ocher tones. The dimensions of the false species are 2-8 cm, some specimens grow up to 10 cm.
In dry weather, the false double dries up, shrinking in size
This species lives mainly on rotten wood and rotten stumps of deciduous trees, however, occasionally large accumulations of fruit bodies can be found on conifers. The peak of fruiting of the twin is in August.
Conclusion
Brain shiver is a small inedible mushroom that is found in deciduous and coniferous forests throughout Russia. It can be confused with some other related species, however, there are no poisonous among them.
