Exidia glandulosa Witches Butter
Found on the fallen dead wood of broadleaved trees, mainly oak but also hazel & beech. Singly or in fussed groups of varying size. Initially an irregular shaped disc or cup up to 30mm across becoming progressively more distorted and wrinkled. Black, rubbery with a short flexible stalk, tough fleshed, gelatinous
when wet.
There are small warts on the upper surface best observed through a hand lens. The under surface is covered with very fine spines making this surface rough to the touch.
The spore print is white.
The spores are smooth, curved like fat sausages, translucent, somewhat crumpled in the centre & fail to react in the presence of iodine.
This species can be found throughout the year. The featured example was found in Yateley, Vicarage Lane Wood.