Fungus · GBIF taxon 2553607
Black Witches' Butter
Exidia glandulosaAlso known as Black Jelly Roll, Warty Jelly Fungus, Witch's Butter
Black witches' butter forms dark, gelatinous, blister-like masses across decaying hardwood branches in damp woodlands. These fungi dry down to inconspicuous black crusts during dry spells and swell dramatically back to life after rain. Small raised warts on the glossy surface release spores into the moist forest air.
Wood-DecayingJelly FungusSaprotrophic
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Saprotrophic
Predators
- Fungus-eating beetles
- Slugs
- Snails
ThreatsExcessive removal of deadwood
HabitatsDeciduous forests, woodlands, and parklands
Life spanPersists multiple seasons
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAuriculariaceae
- SpeciesExidia glandulosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Dry Conditions: Look for flattened, crust-like black patches on dead tree limbs.
- Rainy Season Scouting: Search wet fallen branches after heavy autumn rains for swollen jelly.
Look-Alike no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.