WITCHES BUTTER

WITCHES BUTTER

Tremella mesenterica
JELLY FUNGI FAMILY (Tremellaceae)

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This is a bright yellow, gelatinous fungus. It forms tight clusters up to 4 inches wide and an inch high. It is of a gelatinous consistency and when young and fresh composed of lobes or brain-like sections, but becomes shapeless as it ages or in wet weather. It sometimes becomes tough and crust-like when it dries out.

It is found occasionally during spring and summer on hardwood branches, mainly on the flood plains of Fontenelle Forest. This fungus can be found during warming winter thaws and throughout cool, wet springs.

It also appears to be parasitic on other mushrooms still growing inside the bark. It is also known as Yellow Witch’s Butter.

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