Dacrymycetes is a class of fungi within the Basidiomycota, characterized primarily by their jelly-like, often brightly colored fruiting bodies. These fungi are saprotrophic, meaning they decompose dead wood and play a crucial role in nutrient cycling within forest ecosystems. Dacrymycetes typically produce basidia that are bifurcate (Y-shaped), a distinctive feature separating them from other basidiomycetes. They are mostly found on decaying coniferous and hardwood substrates, and while their fruiting bodies are soft and gelatinous, their microscopic structures, including basidiospores, are key to their identification. This class includes genera such as Dacrymyces and Calocera, which are notable for their ecological role in wood decay and their unique gelatinous morphology.