Witch’s Butter on fallen oak branch at the Pismo Preserve, November 2022

Abundant rainfall means that it’s a great time to look for fungi on your next hike. Look for this colorful jelly fungus on fallen logs and stumps. Fungi are decomposers, breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to soil. A healthy ecosystem needs a balance of producers (plants), consumers (animals) and decomposers. Find out more about Witch’s Butter at iNaturalist.