Witches’ Butter?

[NickWood]

Happy New Year!

Looking for a confirmation that this might be Tremella mesenterica (Witches’ Butter, Golden Jelly Fungus, etc.).

Found on a young deciduous tree (pos. birch) in a small plantation. From what I have read, Tremella mesenterica is usually found on dead wood, and in association with a Peniophora crust fungus. Apparent in some of the photos (especially the third) is a crust fungus – which, stupidly, I didn’t take much notice of at the time. The orange hanging bit is presumably part of it which has dried.

As it was on a nature reserve, and the only fungus I found of interest, I didn’t take anything for a spore print.

Thanks for any help.

[Chris Yeates]

Hello Nick and a HNY to you too

Yes, no problem with Tremella mesenterica. The only other possibility is T. aurantia which is parasitic on Stereum hirsutum. Now you know of the association with Peniophora spp. you will take notice of it in the future .

It’s interesting to note the pallid areas of your fungus – which supports comments made by Peter Roberts in his paper on the two British yellow Tremella spp. in Mycologist vol.9(3) pp.110-14:

“Pallid fruit bodies have sometimes been given

the name Tremella lutescens, but there is nothing

to suggest the existence of a third yellow Tremella

species in Europe, and T. lutescens is now

regarded as a nomen dubium, probably synonymous with T. mesenterica. White, unpigmented or

albino fruit bodies have sometimes been given the

names Tremella albida Huds.: Fr. or Tremella

candida Pers. Both are nomina dubia.”

best wishes

Chris

[NickWood]

Many thanks, Chris, for your quick and very enlightening reply, and for confirming identification.

Yet another item to add to the checklist – record the habitat in detail, including any nearby fungi!

All the best… Nick

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