Fungus of the Month: Black Witches Butter (Exidia glandulosa)

Have you ever been walking through a deciduous forest and wondered what those black, tar-like looking structures are that grow on fallen trunks and branches? Well, Exidia glandulosa also known as Black Witches Butter would be a good guess. This fungus is more often recognised during wetter months as it dehydrates during dry weather and shrinks to a dry, shiny and only millimetre thin membrane on the substrate surface. However, the fungus quickly recovers to a soft gelatinous blob in rainy weather. Find out more about this fungus and its look-a-like E. nigricans in the March Fungus of the Month profile.

Please let us know if you find it or submit the record to your local fungus group. Also, remember that the ever growing list of 'Fungus of the Month' profiles is available here, ordered alphabetically or by its highlight month.