Exidia plana Exidia plana - a jelly fungus

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Tremellomycetes

Order: Auriculariales

Family: Exidiaceae

Exidia plana is similar to Exidia glandulosa - commonly referred to as Black Witch's (or Witches') Butter, because of its butter-like consistency when wet and its sombre colour; however, Exidia plana has brain-like folds rather than being made up of irregular blocks with flattish facets.

Exidia plana occurs throughout the year on dead hardwood

Autumn and winter are the best times to look for this jelly fungus, which is of dubious edibility and in any case is too insubstantial to be worth collecting for food. The taxonomy of this jelly fungus is unclear, and some authorities still place it in the order Tremellales.

Identification Guide

Size

Individual fruit bodies blend into one another like the flods of a brain; composite 'blobs' are typically 5 to 15 cm across..

Description

Shiny black when wet, turning olive brown and shrivelling to a warty crust during very dry weather; gelatinous.

Spores

White.

Odour/taste

Not distinctive.

Habitat

On dead and decaying hardwood - notable hazel, beech and oak.

Season

Throughout the year but most prevalent in late autumn, winter and early spring.

Occurrence

Fairly frequent and widespread.

Similar species

Tremella mesenterica is yellow and has a brain-like structure.