Black Witches’ Butter Facts
- The intriguingly distinctive term of Black Witches’ Butter serves as only the most frequently used name for this amazing fungus. It actually goes by several other alternate titles, as well. These options include the unique terms of the black jelly roll, and the warty jelly fungus.
- Its purely scientific name, however, is that of the Exidia glandulosa. Regardless of which of these choices one uses to refer to it, though, it’s an impressive species. Unfortunately, it’s often confused with another, visually similar species with which its shares its habitat range.
- The first known official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species took place in the year 1789. Regrettably, though, the remarkable fungus also served as the center of some controversy in scientific circles. This holds true due to several questions about its naming.
- The French botanist Jean Baptiste François Pierre Bulliard made the original identification and taxonomic naming. In 1822, however, the Swedish botanist and mycologist Elias Magnus Fries placed it in another genus. This action served to combine it with the related species.
- Then, in 1936, other experts separated the two once again. This occurred at the hands of the German mycologist, Walther Neuhoff. He, however, made yet another mistake in the naming of the two. Later, still another mycologist, Marinus Anton Donk, finally corrected this.
- The impressive and distinctive Black Witches’ Butter seems to have a stable and sufficient population base. This further appears to hold true throughout the entirety of its native range. The IUCN therefore presently has no listing for it on its Red List of Threatened Species.
- The fungus nevertheless does face certain threats to its continued existence as a species. Habitat loss certainly poses a danger to it, as the forests in which it thrives in vanish. Likely, though, the greatest danger it faces comes in the form of the ongoing effects of climate change.
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Black Witches’ Butter Physical Description
It must be pointed out that the intriguing Black Witches’ Butter frequently possesses a highly irregular shape. This tendency therefore makes an accurate description of its physical appearance extremely difficult. Certain basic patterns do appear, however, and it’s those we’ll elaborate on.
Overall, the fruit bodies of this particular fungus attain an average diameter measuring around 1.2 in (3 cm). This feature develops on top of an irregularly shaped stalk, which usually measures almost as wide as the cap itself. These parts further generally appear in small groupings or clusters.
The body of the fascinating fungus also develops a somewhat surprising texture. That’s because this outer covering evolved a principally gelatinous or rubbery feel to it. This aspect of the species remains firm, though. This, however, only maintains itself if the mushroom is fresh and young.
When this wonder of nature becomes either wet or aged, this changes to a lax nature. Its shape also often becomes distorted at this time. The stark black hue of the aptly-named Black Witches’ Butter, though, remains its most noticeable feature. It also frequently has a shiny appearance to it.
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Basidiomycota
- Class: Agaricomycetes
- Order: Auriculariales
- Family: Auriculariaceae
- Genus: Exidia
- Species: E. glandulosa
Black Witches’ Butter Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
For the moment, the precise extent of the range of distribution of the astonishing Black Witches’ Butter remains undetermined by researchers. That’s due to the fact that it’s so often confused with another, visually similar, species. The two appear to roughly share the same territorial range.
It can only be said for certain that thhis product of evolution inhabits the continent of Europe. It’s frequently spotted in both the United Kingdom and Ireland, among others. Reports further indicate the possibility of its presence, naturally or otherwise, in much of the Northern Hemisphere.
Wherever this distinctive marvel of Nature makes an appearance, its habitat preferences continue to be quite clear displayed. That’s because it’s commonly seen in regions of forest. Although it lives among evergreens as well, it typically appears in regions formed of mainly deciduous trees.
Even within that ecosystem, however, it still displays even further preferences. The intrepid fungus most frequently makes its home on various broadleaf trees. These most commonly consist of various oak trees. Others, such as beech or hazel, sometimes serve as host to the fungus, though.
Like many of its many related kindred across the globe, the Black Witches’ Butter evolved as a wood-rotting variety. When it makes an appearance on a host tree, it usually does so on a long-dead limb. Once there, it typically produces the distinctive fruit bodies in Autumn and Winter.
Species Sharing Its Range
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