These bright yellow oomycetes were growing along a small branch that was near the forest floor. The branch was located near the edge of the Longmire Hotsprings.
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.
Tremellaceae is a family of fungi in the order Tremellales. Many of the family members are jelly fungi, some of which are cultivated and eaten in Oriental countries. The most significant genus is Tremella, which phylogenetics has shown is polyphyletic and should probably be separated into at least four separate families.,
