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Photo By Björn S.

Black witches' butter

Exidia glandulosa

A species of Exidia, Also known as Warty jelly fungus

Black witches' butter (Exidia glandulosa) is a distinctive jelly fungus that appears as a shiny, greasy black mass on decaying wood. It may have received a common name connecting it with witches due to a belief that burning this fungus could counteract witchcraft. The individual jellies clump together, creating an especially creepy appearance.

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Black witches' butter

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Attributes of Black witches' butter

Height

1 - 2.5 cm

Cap

Upper surface glossy, with small warts or pegs

Flesh

Thin; gelatinous, soft; black

Ring

Ringless

Spore Print Color

White

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Black

Red

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Solitary, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

Dead Woods

You can find Black witches' butter by these plants:

Oaks, English oak

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland, Coniferous Woodland

Species Status

Widely distributed

Endangered Species

How to Identify Black witches' butter

Fruiting Body Habit & Habitat

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Habitat of Black witches' butter

Look for black witches' butter in forests, especially those populated by oak trees. The mushroom grows on dead or rotting deciduous wood such as recently downed logs and fallen branches.

Distribution Area of Black witches' butter

North America,Europe,Asia

Scientific Classification of Black witches' butter

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Auriculariales

Family

Auriculariaceae

Genus

Exidia

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Tips for Finding Black witches' butter

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What are Some Tips for Finding Black witches' butter

Search around the base of oak trees for fallen branches or sticks, as black witches' butter typically grows on these substrates.
Look for black witches' butter on damp, decaying hardwood material, scanning for its distinctive gelatinous, black fruiting bodies.
Explore well-shaded forested areas where the moisture level is higher, which promotes the growth of black witches' butter.
Inspect potential habitats during periods following rainfall, as increased moisture can stimulate the appearance of black witches' butter.