How to identify Black Witch's Butter

To correctly identify Black Witch's Butter (Exidia glandulosa), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   Not applicable, as Exidia glandulosa does not form a distinct cap. The entire fruiting body is the reproductive structure.

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   Not applicable, as Exidia glandulosa is a jelly fungus and does not produce gills.

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   Not applicable, as Exidia glandulosa is sessile, attaching directly to the substrate without a distinct stem.

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   Gelatinous and firm when fresh and moist, becoming cartilaginous and hard when dry. The interior is uniformly black or dark brown.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting body is typically 1-6 cm across and 1-3 cm high, irregularly lobed, convoluted, or brain-like, often appearing as a mass of fused, individual blobs. It is black to very dark brown, shiny and somewhat translucent when wet, becoming dull and hard when dry. The surface is often covered with minute, wart-like projections (glands), which are more noticeable when the fungus is dry or partially dried.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Saprobic on dead deciduous wood, particularly fallen branches and logs of oak (Quercus spp.) and beech (Fagus spp.). It can also be found on other hardwoods. It causes a white rot in the wood.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

Not applicable (no cap)

Growth Form

Irregularly lobed, convoluted, brain-like, or cushion-shaped masses, often confluent.

Spore Print

White

Body color

Black to very dark brown

Odor

Indistinct

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise

Height

1-3 cm

Cap Diameter

1-6 cm (overall spread)

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: Not applicable (no gills)
• Stem shape: Not applicable (sessile)
• Stem surface: Not applicable (sessile)
• Ring: Absent
• Stem cross-section: Not applicable (sessile)

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