Anyone know what this is?

[Beelosser]

hi wondering if anyone knows what this is. It is on a tree stump that has been dead for years. Looks like expanding foam.

 

[enrico]

Join the mushroom spotters UK Facebook page

 

[Beelosser]

Join the mushroom spotters UK Facebook page

Unlike me I don’t think it’s a fungi. It’s liquid like cuckoo spit

 

[Dodge]

Join the mushroom spotters UK Facebook page

I was curious enough to see if this group actually exists and it does.

 

[pargyle]

hi wondering if anyone knows what this is. It is on a tree stump that has been dead for years. Looks like expanding foam.

I don't know whether the disease is in the UK ... certainly seen in some warmer cllnates like the Southern States of the USA where I've seen something very similar ... Foaming Bark Canker. Looks very similar - like a giant ball of cuckoo spit ? No solid skin to it like a fungus has ?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maybe someone just landed a giant hockle on the tree?

 

[enrico]

I have asked on the mushroom Facebook page, borrowed the photo!

 

[enrico]

The answer is
False puffball by the looks of it, Enteridium lycoperdon

 

[enrico]

Further update

This is a slime mould in its aethalial stage and known as Reticularia lycoperdon – commonly called the false puffball.