Description
Descidia repanda forms reddish brown, gelatinous fruit bodies that are firm and button-shaped, around 3 cm across. The fruit bodies typically grow gregariously, but do not normally coalesce. The upper, spore-bearing surface is smooth and shiny, whilst the undersurface is smooth and matt. Fruit bodies are attached to the wood at a point, but do not have a stem. The spore print is white.
Microscopic characters
The microscopic characters are typical of the genus Exidia. The basidia are ellipsoid, septate, 12.5 to 15 by 7.5 to 10 μm. The spores are allantoid (sausage-shaped), 12 to 14 by 2.5 to 3.5 μm.
Similar species
Fruit bodies of Exidia recisa are similarly coloured, but are conical, pendulous, and typically occur on willow (Salix spp). Fruit bodies of E. umbrinella are also similar, but the species only occurs on conifers and is uncommon. In North America, E. crenata is similar, but has conical to pendulous fruit bodies and typically occurs on oak. The widespread E. glandulosa has much darker, blackish brown fruit bodies with sparse warts or small, peg-like projections on their surface.
