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Leotia  viscosa              Green-Headed Jelly Baby

As the common name suggests Jelly Babies are gelatinous fungi. They absorb water and swell up in wet weather and shrivel to a fraction of their size in dry weather. Leotia viscosa is easily recognized by the yellow stalk and green cap.   The cap is often so dark that it appears almost black.  The Common Jelly Baby, Leotia lubrica, is a uniform dull yellow.  Both species fruit in clusters and are common and widespread. They favour wet spots in woods and are often found in moss or on old mossy stumps. The green Leotia atrovirens is also reported from time to time but I have not found it.