White Jelly Fungus: Identification, Lookalikes, and Edibility

The white jelly fungus (Ductifera pululahuana) is very common in late spring and early summer. It stands out because it is strikingly white, unmistakably gelatinous, and rather gross-looking. Someone once said it looks like witch boogers, and now that comparison is forever in my mind. It isn’t an edible mushroom, per se. It’s not toxic, but it’s so thin and goopy that it’s not exactly appetizing, either.

• Scientific Name: Ductifera pululahuana (previous name: Exidia alba)
• Common Names: Pale Jelly Roll, White Jelly Fungus
• Habitat: Decaying hardwoods
• Edibility: Inedible, non toxic

All About The White Jelly Fungus

White jelly fungus resembles a brain or a blob of white jelly splattered against dead wood. It’s also been described as fluffy mashed potatoes or witch boogers. It is dense, thick, and gelatinous and grows in tight-packed lobed clusters.

The species name, pululahuana, stems from the location where the type specimen was originally collected – Pululahua, Ecuador.

White Jelly Fungus Identification Guide

Season

The white jelly fungus can be found in late spring, summer, and fall. In tropical and subtropical areas, it may also be observed during the winter months.

Habitat

The white jelly fungus is primarily a saprobic species, meaning it obtains nutrients by decomposing decaying organic matter. It specifically thrives on decaying hardwood logs, particularly those that have lost their bark. This fungus is often one of the later species to appear in the decomposition process, typically emerging on well-rotted logs after the bark has disappeared.

It is documented in eastern and southern North America and seemingly (based on citizen science reports) more common in Indiana and Ohio. Its range extends as far south as Ecuador in South America.

Identification

Body

The fruiting body of the white jelly fungus presents as a mass of individual, whitish, jelly-like globs. These globs often grow in close proximity, sometimes fusing together to form structures reminiscent of exposed brains. Because they are so densely clustered, it can be hard to separate out the lobes when they fuse like that. They can also appear cuplike or blister-like.

The cap’s color ranges from white to dingy yellow. The fungus may discolor to shades of purplish or brownish hues with age or upon handling. White jelly fungi bodies grow up to 6 inches wide—this is a mass of fused lobes. A single lobe is generally not more than 1.25 inches wide.

As the fungus matures, the lobes tend to build on top of themselves. New lobes grow on top of the older ones, causing the center of the mushroom to appear darker than the interior.

Stem

The white jelly fungus is stemless; it grows directly from the wood.

Flesh and Texture

The flesh of the white jelly fungus is thick and gelatinous. But, even though it is jelly-like, it is also dense and brittle. It doesn’t squish between your fingers like other jelly mushroom species. The flesh also falls apart easily, making it hard to transport in a foraging bag!

The flesh is typically white in younger specimens, but with age, it may discolor to yellowish, brownish, or even pinkish-to-purplish hues.

Odor

The odor of the white jelly fungus is often described as mild or earthy. Some individuals may detect a subtle sweetness in the aroma.

White Jelly Fungus Lookalikes

Snow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

This species is similar in appearance—white and gelatinous—but it has more distinct lobes. The lobes are also more pointed, less glob-like, and more graceful. The snow fungus’ flesh is also often almost translucent, a stark contrast to the deep white of the white jelly fungus.

White Coral Jelly Fungus (Sebacina sparassoidea, aka Tremella reticulata)

This species grows on the ground and looks like coral growing from the forest floor. It is not goopy like the white jelly fungus; it has a more rigid structure.

Witches’ Butter (Tremella mesenterica)

While their jelly-like bodies are similar, these two are very different colors. Witch’s butter is golden yellow to orange, while the white jelly fungus is, of course, white.

Exidia species

This family of jelly fungi generally have different colors, such as black, reddish brown, or amber.

White Jelly Fungus Edibility

While no known reports of toxicity are associated with this species, the white jelly fungus is not generally considered edible. It is not particularly appetizing for most people due to its gelatinous, slimy texture and lack of flavor. This forager has heard of people using it in soups in the same way as the snow fungus. But, overall, there aren’t many reports on eating or preparing this mushroom.

We don’t recommend doing what he does, but here’s a short video of Mushroom Time eating this fungus raw and his comments on taste and texture.

Common Questions About White Jelly Fungus