Rhodotorula

Rhodotorula is a pigmented yeast, part of the Basidiomycota phylum, easily identifiable by distinctive orange/red colonies when grown on SDA (Sabaroud's Dextrose Agar). This distinctive colour is the result of pigments that the yeast creates to block out certain wavelengths of light that would otherwise be damaging to the cell. Colony colour can vary from being cream coloured to orange/red/pink or yellow.

Rhodotorula is a common environmental inhabitant. It can be cultured from soil, water, and air samples.