English: Beech Jellydisc Fungus (Neobulgaria pura). This is a fairly young specimen of Neobulgaria pura. At this stage, the fruiting bodies are globular in shape, and less than a centimetre wide. As can be seen here, they have a transparent jelly-like outer layer with a wrinkled surface; inside, a flesh-coloured mass is visible.

There is also a small opening at the top of each globe. As the fruiting body matures, this opening will widen out to become the surface of a disc (the wrinkled transparent layer will remain, on the underside), and the fungus will gradually assume a more typical appearance.

Beech Jellydisc Fungus is not a common species; it is found infrequently in summer and autumn, and grows on the fallen wood of deciduous trees, especially beech (the fruiting bodies shown in the photo are growing on a fallen branch).

For another image, taken here one day earlier, see 998445.