Witch’s Butter
Yellow brain, Golden jelly fungus, Trembling jelly fungus
Tremella mesenterica
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Witch’s Butter is a visually arresting jelly fungus, known for its bright orange, gelatinous appearance. It typically grows in clusters on dead or decaying wood, providing a stark contrast to its usually drab background.
Witch’s Butter
Common Name
Witch’s Butter
Other Names
Yellow brain, Golden jelly fungus, Trembling jelly fungus
Latin Name
Tremella mesenterica
Distribution
Witch’s Butter can be found across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Appearance
The fungus is gelatinous in consistency with a bright yellow to orange color. Its lobed, irregularly folded or brain-like appearance is unmistakable, and when wet, it’s particularly slimy and pliable.
Size
Witch’s Butter typically spans 3-7.5 cm across.
Habitat
This fungus prefers to grow on dead or decaying hardwoods, especially oaks and beeches.
Diet
Witch’s Butter is saprobic, feeding off decaying wood, but it also acts as a parasite on other fungi, especially crust fungi.
Lifecycle
Like other fungi, it reproduces through spores. Its spores are produced in tiny, flask-shaped structures called asci. When mature, these asci release spores that are carried by the wind to new locations.
Defense Mechanisms
Its bright coloration might serve as a warning or deterrent to potential predators, suggesting that it’s not palatable or may be toxic. Additionally, its gelatinous texture might be unappealing to many animals.
Ecological Importance
By breaking down dead and decaying wood, Witch’s Butter plays a role in nutrient cycling within the ecosystemAn ecosystem is a community of living organisms, like insects and birds, and non-living components, like water and rocks, that interact with each other in a specific area. Learn More, helping to return essential nutrients to the soil.
ConservationThe act of protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment. Conservation efforts are important to protect beavers and their habitats. Learn More Status
It is generally considered common in its habitats.
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