Witches' Butter (Tremella mesenterica)

Our species of the month is the Witches' Butter fungus (Tremella mesenterica). Sometimes called Yellow Brain, this striking fungus is found on dead branches. Its name Yellow Brain comes from its irregular lobe-like appearance, while the name Witches' Butter comes from Scandinavian folklore. One story about this name is that witches' "carriers" would forage and steal food to feed the witches, who might then reward them by allowing them to consume some of the food. The carriers were thought to sometimes be so greedy they would regurgitate some of the food back up, leaving golden yellow 'butter' coating dead branches. 

Witches' Butter is found all over the world, found in every continent except Antarctica. On Alderney, it is one example of our autumn fruiting fungi. Many species of fungi help decompose wood, but Witches' Butter is actually a parasite, instead feeding on the mycelium of a different fungus that breaks down dead wood.

Now is one of the best times to look for fungi, so please send in your records!