Tremellales

The Tremellales are an order of fungi in the class Tremellomycetes. The order contains both teleomorphic and anamorphic species, most of the latter being yeasts. All teleomorphic species in the Tremellales are parasites of other fungi, though the yeast states are widespread and not restricted to hosts. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies), when produced, are gelatinous. The order currently comprises 11 families, containing around 250 valid species. Significant genera include Tremella, one species of which is edible and commercially cultivated, and the yeast genus Cryptococcus, several species of which are human pathogens.