Tremella anaptychiae

Tremella anaptychiae produces basidiomata that are typically more or less spherical in shape, becoming slightly tuberculate as they age. These are characterized by a waxy-gelatinous texture and can exhibit a variety of colours, ranging from cream to pinkish, brownish, or even blackish, with rare instances of greenish shades. Typically measuring 0.2–2 mm in diameter, they grow on the thallus of their host, often encompassing the cilia and, less frequently, on the margin of apothecia.[2]

The internal context hyphae and the hyphae below the basidia are slender and thick-walled, typically ranging from 3–5.5 μm in diameter. These hyphae do not have clamps but may sometimes show small spur-like swellings. Abundant haustorial branches are present, with the mother cell being roughly spherical to broadly ellipsoid. The hymenium is well-developed, either clear or subtly brownish, and contains numerous probasidia. The basidia, when mature, are two-celled, stalked, and thick-walled, often displaying longitudinal or oblique septa. They produce basidiospores that are somewhat spherical, sometimes broadly ellipsoid, and germinate to form ballistoconidia and blastic conidia.[2]

Additionally, Tremella anaptychiae may sometimes produce asteroconidia, which have a unique four-armed structure. These asteroconidia are about 10–15 μm in diameter, with individual arms ranging from 3.5–8 μm in length. In some basidiomata, where basidia are sparse, these conidiogenous cells can be particularly numerous.[2]