species fungus family known history complicated fact adopt sexual forms colloquially known drops purple common fungus appears gelatinous mass pinkish purple colored discs distributed widely north_america europe asia saprobic fungus grows clusters branches variety dead woods field studies suggest colonization black spruce resistance infection causing fungi contains compound shown laboratory growth positive bacteria taxonomy history fungus complicated fact life cycle allows imperfect making spores perfect making sexual spores form times authors assigned names form names odds accepted rules fungal nomenclature originally described dutch scientist christian called publication described imperfect state fungus genus proposed imperfect state brothers charles refer perfect imperfect forms designated type species genus publication shear decades later apparent violated naming conventions imposed fungal specifically species named imperfect state wilson proposed new genus accommodate perfect state state fungus gray synonymous specific epithet derived greek means flesh like compounds flesh common ending similar description fungus characterized fruiting body technically pinkish purple color gelatinous consistency typically centimetres diameter start roughly spherical shape eventually cup shaped edge smooth upper surface lower surface covered small particles attached directly growing surface rudimentary stem accompanied form non sexual spores generated form consists like fruiting body mass consisting short specialized bear similar color consistency variable shape typically tongue shaped bearing minute cylindrical straight curved fungus matures press form gelatinous irregular mass flesh similar appearance fungus pinkish purple gelatinous odor taste distinctive considered edible microscopic features spores translucent hyaline smooth ellipsoid shape dimensions spores contain oil imperfect form fungus produces smooth hyaline spores sexual spore bearing cells cylindrical shape dimensions sterile cells interspersed cylindrical slightly swollen tips branches similar species small gelatinous violet colored species cup shaped larger spores resemblance fungi mistaken species larger brown appearance larger typically brown ear shaped easily distinguished presence basidia habitat distribution species broad distribution forested areas north_america europe saprobic fungus derives nutrients decaying organic matter usually found growing stumps logs fallen deciduous trees found variety living trees example europe found stems living spruce finland france great_britain norway germany collections sites include australia chile china cuba iceland korea taiwan hawaii grows fallen trees occurs frequently late summer autumn role tree decay number field studies conducted forest region canada showed found frequently associated deciduous coniferous tree hosts affected fungal disease known heart discovery noted unusual fungal tree known caused case commercially valuable tree species black spruce determined prior colonization reduces subsequent infection common fungal furthermore exist wood noticeable harmful effects host similar relationship shown later exist jack pine trees species little effect subsequent growth study showed isolated frequently wood age tree increases trees examined study years old previously decayed wood case usually fungi compounds chemical compounds widely distributed division fungi shown contain named chemical derivative compound pigment solution turns dark violet similar color fruit bodies fungus moderate activity shown laboratory tests growth positive bacteria including widely distributed food organism effect growth negative bacteria anti fungal activity observed produce series including carbon mixture called similarity existing fuel originally identified taxonomy later revised effort determine genetic basis production
Ascocoryne sarcoides