Black Witches' Butter
ExploreFungi
Black Witches' Butter
Exidia
Black Witches' Butter is a squishy black fungus that grows on trees. It looks like a blob of jelly!
Habitat: On trees
Appearance
The Black Witches' Butter is a shiny, dark brown to jet-black, gelatinous fungus that looks like wavy, brain-like blobs or folds on dead wood. When wet, it is soft and slippery; when dry, it shrivels into a hard, brittle crust.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassTremellomycetesOrderTremellalesFamilyExidiaceaeGenusExidia
Category
FungiRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It can dry up like a piece of burned paper, then swell back to life with rain!
It's named for its dark, gooey look, like a witch's mysterious potion!
It's not actually butter, but a jelly fungus that feels rubbery or slimy!
This fungus often grows on oak and other hardwood branches that have fallen.
Special abilities
Ability
Wood Recycler
Black Witches' Butter can break down dead wood, helping to recycle nutrients back into the forest soil.
Ability
Resurrection Power
Black Witches' Butter has the ability to rehydrate after completely drying out, which helps them survive long dry spells.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1-5 cm
- Edibility
- edible
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Fall, winter, spring
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
depends on
European Oak
Quercus robur
decomposes dead branches and bark
depends on
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
breaks down fallen logs and branches
depends on
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
feeds on dead maple wood
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Black Jelly Fungus
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Black Witches' Butter?
1-5 cm
Is Black Witches' Butter edible?
edible
Where is Black Witches' Butter usually found?
On trees
What does Black Witches' Butter grow on?
wood
When is Black Witches' Butter in season?
Fall, winter, spring
What color are Black Witches' Butter spores?
White
Snap Map
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