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Witches' butter

Exidia nigricans

A species of Exidia

Witches' butter (Exidia nigricans) is a wood-rotting species that can be found growing throughout the year. It is commonly called "Witches' butter" because of its buttery consistency when wet, combined with its somber color. it typically appears on dead hardwoods.

Cap Diameter:

5 - 20 mm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Witches' butter

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Attributes of Witches' butter

Cap Diameter

5 - 20 mm

Cap

Around 2 cm across; rubbery-gelatinous, button-shaped; dark sepia to blackish; shiny, dotted with small pimples or pegs

Spore Print Color

White

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Brown

Black

Bronze

Flesh Bruises

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

Growth Form

Scattered, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

Dead Woods

You can find Witches' butter by these plants:

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland

Species Status

Widely distributed in the northern hemisphere

Endangered Species

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Habitat of Witches' butter

Witches' butter is found on dying or dead hardwood, particularly favoring Beech, Ash, and Hazel, occasionally on Oaks.

Scientific Classification of Witches' butter

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Auriculariales

Family

Auriculariaceae

Genus

Exidia

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Tips for Finding Witches' butter

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What are Some Tips for Finding Witches' butter

Investigate fallen or rotting hardwood branches and logs, particularly from Beech, Ash, or Hazel.
Look for decaying wood in shaded forests where witches' butter might thrive.
Use a gentle touch to inspect under loose bark on dead trees which might conceal witches' butter.
Pay close attention to stumps and piles of wood debris, common spots for witches' butter.
Ensure to check both high and low on tree trunks for the presence of witches' butter.

How to Clean and Preserve Witches' butter

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Common Questions People Also Ask

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More Mushrooms That Are Similar to Witches' butter

Black witches' butter

Exidia glandulosa