Leafy Brain - Phaeotremella foliacea

A large brain fungus, forming a tightly packed cluster of many leaf-like lobes.  The texture is rubbery and gelatinous.  The colour varies from pale brown to dark brown.  It is parasitic on Stereum species. 

Photograph in habitat; note substrate and tree species, and photograph or note which species of Stereum with which it is associated.  

On decaying wood, parasitising Stereum species

Autumn.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.

It is now thought that 'Leafy Brain' is a complex of 3 species, defined macroscopically by the parasitised Stereum species. (see First Nature website, and Laessoe & Petersen).  

• Phaeotremella frondosa parasitises Stereum hirsutum, which is most often found on hardwoods. 
• Phaeotremella foliacea parasitises Stereum sanguinolentum, which is only found on conifers. 
• Phaeotremella fimbriata parasitises Stereum rugosum, which is associated with hardwoods.

The only species recorded in VC55 is P foliacea. if the host tree species is identified it is always deciduous (oak, birch, hazel, ash, alder).  We are not aware of records where the host Stereum is identified, but S hirsutum is clearly shown in one record.  It seems more likely that our species is P frondosa or possibly P fimbriata.