Naematelia encephala, the conifer brain, is a small jelly fungus that parasitizes the crust fungus Stereum sanguinolentum on dead conifer branches. Its fruit body is a pale pinkish, brain-like gelatinous mass with a hard whitish core, which Bandoni (1961) showed to be the remains of the host. It is the type species of Naematelia.
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Habitat
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On dead attached or recently fallen conifer branches, as a parasite of the crust fungus Stereum sanguinolentum.
Distribution
North temperate regions, including North America and northern Eurasia; also recorded from Australia.
Characteristics
Fruit body: Gelatinous, compact, densely folded and brain-like, up to 3 cm across; dull pale pink to yellowish pink. Core: Hard and whitish when cut (host tissue). Microscopy: Hyphae with clamps; basidia tremelloid, 13-20 x 12-17 um; spores mostly subglobose, smooth, 6-11 x 5.5-9 um. Key features: Pinkish jelly with a firm white core on conifer branches carrying Stereum sanguinolentum.
