Tremella mesenterica
Jo-Ann Ordano, California
Academny of Sciences Andy Fyon,
www.ontariowildflower.com Witches' Butter is a
jelly-like fungus
which can usually be found on dead branches in late Fall and
early Winter. Witches' Butter grows
after rain when it is wet outside. At first, it is bright
yellow or orange. Later, when it dries, it turns dark orange
and hard. Its shape can vary. Unlike mushrooms,
it has no stalk. As it dries more, this
fungus becomes crusty. It can revive itself, though, if it
rains again. Witches' Butter is found
on deciduous
trees (trees that drop their leaves in the Fall), especially
oaks and beech. This fungus can also be a
parasite
on other fungi, especially parchment fungi. Copyright, Fred
Stevens
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Copyright, George Barron