Exidia saccharina

The species was first described in 1805 as Tremella spiculosa var. Saccharina by German scientists Johannes Baptista von Albertini and Lewis David de Schweinitz.[5] The species was re-described by Albertini and Schweinitz as Exidia saccharina in 1822.[5] Exidia saccharina is most closely related to Exidia thuretiana and Exidiopsis spp., as determined by genetic analysis.[6]

The basidiocarp of Exidia saccharina is orange-brown with a gelatinous, highly ridged texture. The basidiocarp becomes leathery, dark, and shriveled when dry.[7] Its translucent hyphae are 0.5–2.5µm in diameter, monomitic, branched, thin-walled, and form clamp connections.[8] Hyphae frequently form anastomoses.[7] Basidia are typically 13–15.5µm long, elliptical in shape, and consist of four longitudinally septate cells.[8] Basidiospores are approximately 11.7µm long with a curved, fabiform shape and thin, smooth walls.[8]

Exidia saccharina can be found most commonly in Scandinavia, but also can be found in northern parts of Asia and North America, and rarely in Africa and South America.[4][9]

Exidia saccharina can be found in coniferous or mixed forests where it grows only on dead conifers.[3] It grows saprotrophically on species of Abies, Larix, Picea and most commonly, Pinus.[3][10][11][12] It seems to grow most preferentially on Pinus strobus.[7][13]

Exidia saccharina is currently listed on the register of protected and endangered fungi of Poland.[13][14]