The Jelly mystery

[fairplay]

Well, there is certainly no confusion with Nostoc.

What precisely is 'star jelly' ? You say you have examined your find and it looks similar to the microphotograph. Have you next compared it to cells from the many species of Nostoc ?

It seems to me 'star jelly' is just a local collective word given to any number of unexplained jelly-like blobs ranging from semen, spawn, jelly fish or dripping cheese from the moon.
I expect the original meaning of 'star jelly' is lost in time, but wouldn't be surprised if the inventor was looking at a Nostoc sp.

Neil.

[storyhouse]

Hello everyone,

My name is Nevin Martell Dear Dr. Jonsson,

My name is Nevin Martell and I’m a producer with Story House Productions in Washington, DC (Story House Productions). I’m currently producing an episode of a National Geographic series called “Unnatural” about the phenomenon known as “star jelly” and I came across this discussion during my research. I'm hoping to obtain some of the photographs shown here for potential use in the show. If you have any pictures of star jelly and you're interested in discussing this opportunity, please drop me an email at martell@storyhousepro.com Thanks so much in advance for your time.

All my best,

Nevin Martell
Producer
Story House Productions, Inc.
2233 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Suite 420
Washington, DC 20007

[fairplay]

The problem is: What is Star Jelly ?
It seems in Britain this term is used to describe any clear/ish jelly looking blobs found in the countryside. They could be the cyanobacteria called Nostoc or it could be something exuded by frogs at sudden death (see the Reptiles & Amphibians forum) or it could be Stags semen or it could be any other number of causes.
There is nothing spooky or mysterious in any of this, so please keep it scientific and factual.

Neil.

[oldwolf]

It would seem that this image would be more appropriate posted in this thread.

I was in patches all along the trunk of a dead tree.

Not a dead frog in sight!!

[CapAndBracket]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

It would seem that this image would be more appropriate posted in this thread.

I was in patches all along the trunk of a dead tree.

Not a dead frog in sight!!

Those may be the dying stage of Pseudohydnum gelatinosum (just a suggestion but i have seen them looking very similar).

Cheers J.P.

[fairplay]

It looks more fungal than anything else, do you know what wood it is, or if not, what are the surrounding trees ?

If conifer, then J.P.'s suggestion is very plausible.

Neil.

EDIT. In fact, in both photos you can see short 2 needle Scots Pine leaves, and the bark seems to correspond too, so I'd say you are most likely correct J.P.

[oldwolf]

Hi
To update you all further.

The photo was taken in an area of Daisy's Walk in Rendlesham forest.
This spot is towards the end of the walk and at this point there are a lot of coniferous trees.

Finally, the only other distinguishing thing about this part of the walk is that it always seem to be dark and damp right throughout the year.

Thanks again

Regards

Dave
Edit: Rendlesham forest is in Suffolk.

[fairplay]

Hi Dave,

My recollection is, it's a circular walk, so would end up back in the car park, right ? This is all part of the Sandlings and dry compared to the rest of Suffolk (I live 10 miles away).

By saying it's dark and damp, I would expect you next to say it is only half a mile away from where this famous UFO hoax took place (the other side of the road).

Please tell me you don't believe all that rubbish and were not going to suggest a link.

Neil.

[oldwolf]

You are quite correct that it is a circular walk.

I was not trying to suggest anything other than to give some background as to where this fungi/jelly was growing.
I am just interested in finding out what this jelly is. No more than that.

As for aliens, how can I say if they really exist or not?
I have never met one.

Dave

[fairplay]

I know there is a damp spot where the walk goes into the valley - is this where you meant ?

Neil.