I found many yellow and orange protists along the trail, often attached to logs and wood surfaces, like benches. While the one attached to the end of the log is curly and somewhat horizontally layered, the one on the parallel side of the tree is more orbed and circular. Could they be different species based on the physical and color differences?
Also known as yellow brain fungus. Common jelly fungus found on dead or fallen branches. Looks greasy when wet and appears to be somewhat transparent. Widespread in temperate or tropical forests. Edible.
Tremella mesenterica (common names include yellow brain fungus, golden jelly fungus and Witch's butter) is a jelly fungus that is commonly found on rotting wood, especially gorse, as a parasite of wood decay fungi such as Stereum, Aleurodiscus and Peniophora. This fungus occurs widely in locations including North America, Australia, Japan and Taiwan. The species is not considered edible. This fungus is also known in Scotland as a Shot Star, the substance of a shooting star.
