Fan-shaped Jelly Fungus

The fruit bodies of Dacrymyces spathularia are gregarious, often clustered, and have a distinct stipe (stem) and fertile head that is flattened and fan-like (spathulate) or less commonly palmate. They are tough-gelatinous to cartilaginous and yellow to orange, usually 0.5–2.5 cm (1⁄4–1 in) tall and between 0.3 and 1.2 cm wide. Microscopically, the species has cylindrical basidiospores that become septate at maturity, measuring 7–11.5 by 3.5–4.5 μm.

Similar species. It resembles Guepiniopsis buccina and young specimens of Dacrymyces chrysospermus.

Dacrymyces spathularia grows on both rotting coniferous and broadleaf wood; it has even been reported to grow on polyester rugs. It is widely distributed in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific, North and South America, but is not known from Europe.

Dacryopinax spathularia is edible. The species is commercially cultivated to produce long-chain glycolipids used as a natural preservative in soft drinks. The process involves fermentation of Dacryopinax spathularia using glucose as a carbon source in aerobic submerged culture. In China fruit bodies are called guìhuā'ěr (桂花耳, literally "sweet osmanthus ear", referring to their resemblance to osmanthus flowers). They are sometimes included in a vegetarian dish called Buddha's delight.