Witches' butter
Tremella mesenterica
A species of Tremella. Also known as Yellow brain fungus, Golden jelly fungus.
Tremella mesenterica, commonly known as witch's butter, is characterized by its uniquely irregular fruiting body, which typically appears on decaying hardwood limbs. This species is globally widespread, inhabiting both temperate and tropical woodland environments. While often observed in a yellow shade, its coloration spans a spectrum from a subtle lemon to a vivid canary.
In This Article
Attributes of Witches' butter
Cap Diameter
2 - 5 cm
Height
1 - 5 cm
Cap
2 - 5 cm across; bright yellow or orangish yellow; bald, moist
Flesh
Gelatinous; yellow
Spore Print Color
White
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Body Color
YellowOrange
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Gregarious, Clustered
Nutrient Gathering
Parasitic
Substrate
Dead Woods
You can find Witches' butter by these plants
Oaks, Willows
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland, Scrublands
Species Status
Widely distributed in North America
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of Witches' butter
Phylum
Club fungi
Class
Tremellomycetes
Order
Jelly fungi
Family
Tremellaceae
Genus
Tremella
Toxicity and Edibility of Witches' butter
Is Witches' butter Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
