The Jelly mystery

[oldwolf]

I'm not sure if it is a part of the valley but if it helps further, that part of the path is about two thirds of the way around. there is a bank to one side which is fenced at the top which I assume to be private land adjoined to the walk.

Dave

Edit: if I remember correctly there are also a fair number of beech trees here too.

[Estwing]

Hi, I saw this last week, it was still there today so I took a pic or three. My first thought was a Slime-Mould or something fungal.
No unusual lights in the sky recently.

[fairplay]

This is extremely translucent - it almost looks like photo trickery because of the edges not being clearly defined.
Still, I wonder why you have named the photos 'Star Jelly' and not a proven substance called Nostoc ?
Star Jelly is a general term for an ill defined whitish, translucent, jelly like blob which could come from any number of sources (except outer space !)

It's best to drop the word 'star jelly' altogether as it is totally meaningless and totally misleading.

Neil.

[Estwing]

Hi. Thanks for interest.
I called it Star Jelly because...... that's what I always call it/them. For all I know that is the common name of a fungus family.
I've seen it and stuff like it, sometimes coloured or textured, a number of times over the years, I never gave it a second thought until I saw what you see in the photos and read this thread a couple of days later.
Certainly nothing intended to mislead, I can collect samples tomorrow should anyone like some

[fairplay]

But it is NOT a fungus, and what you have is NOT a slime mould even, although certainly some people do mistake slime moulds for Nostoc or frog jelly or stag's semen whatever and vice versa.

What you have looks very algal to me, and could very well be what is called Nostoc, but this genus of cyanobacteria has quite a few species within it, so deciding which one ain't going to be easy.

So you are being told quite clearly, Star Jelly is NOT a common name of any fungus family - in fact there is NO connection whatsoever.

Please, to avoid confusing future generations, drop the name 'Star Jelly' altogether.

Neil.

[Herd900rd]

Fairplay, I think you are being a little Jo Stalin. People can call something whatever they want to call it. Many plants and animals have a colloquial name, so are you going to tell all users of those to drop it and only use the Latin name. I think not.