Tremella pertusariae: The Tiny Jelly Fungus You’ve Probably Never Noticed
If you’ve ever wandered through a mature forest and noticed what looks like tiny, translucent blobs clinging to tree bark, you might have encountered Tremella pertusariae. This fascinating little jelly fungus is one of nature’s more subtle performers, quietly going about its business in North American woodlands.
What Exactly Is Tremella pertusariae?
Tremella pertusariae is a small jelly fungus that belongs to the world of decomposers rather than traditional garden plants. Unlike the mushrooms you might find at the grocery store, this fungus produces gelatinous, translucent fruiting bodies that are often overlooked by casual forest visitors. It’s what mycologists call a parasite of a parasite – it actually grows on other fungi, specifically those that live on lichens of the genus Pertusaria.
Where You’ll Find This Fungus
This native North American species can be found throughout the continent, thriving in mature forest ecosystems where its host lichens are present. It prefers the bark of various tree species where Pertusaria lichens have established themselves, creating a fascinating three-way relationship between tree, lichen, and fungus.
What Does It Look Like?
Identifying Tremella pertusariae requires a keen eye, as it’s quite small and inconspicuous:
- Size: Typically just a few millimeters across
- Texture: Gelatinous and translucent when fresh
- Color: Whitish to pale yellow, sometimes nearly clear
- Shape: Irregular, blob-like masses
- Location: Always found growing on or near lichens on tree bark
Is It Beneficial to Have Around?
While you can’t exactly plant Tremella pertusariae in your garden, its presence is actually a good sign! This little fungus plays several important ecological roles:
- Indicates a healthy, mature forest ecosystem
- Participates in nutrient cycling and decomposition
- Supports biodiversity by being part of complex ecological relationships
- May serve as food for small forest creatures, though this isn’t well documented
Can You Grow It in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get interesting – you can’t actually cultivate Tremella pertusariae. This fungus has evolved such specific relationships with its host lichens and the trees they grow on that attempting to introduce it to your garden would be futile. It requires:
- Mature forest conditions
- Specific host lichens (Pertusaria species)
- The right tree species and bark conditions
- Proper humidity and environmental factors
What This Means for Your Garden
While you can’t add Tremella pertusariae to your landscape, finding it on your property is actually wonderful news! It means you have or are developing a healthy, mature ecosystem. If you’re interested in supporting such biodiversity, consider:
- Preserving existing mature trees
- Avoiding unnecessary tree treatments that might harm bark-dwelling organisms
- Creating conditions that support native lichens and fungi
- Being patient – these complex relationships take years or decades to establish
The Bottom Line
Tremella pertusariae might not be the showstopper plant you can add to your garden border, but it represents something equally valuable – a sign of ecological health and complexity. Next time you’re walking through a forest, take a moment to examine tree bark closely. You might just spot one of these tiny, gelatinous marvels quietly contributing to the intricate web of forest life. And if you’re lucky enough to have mature trees with established lichen communities on your property, consider yourself a steward of one of nature’s most fascinating microscopic ecosystems.
