Nostoc Alge / Witches Butter

Nostoc Alge, or Witches Butter, up in the Burren Hills.

 

When it rains Nostoc absorbs water, forming gelatinous algae. When the pools dry up, it dries out to form a paper like substance.

 

Nostoc secretes an enzyme into the pools which increases the acidity of the water therefore increasing the erosion within the pools.

 

Apparently it can lie like dried out paper for up to 60 years. Then swell again with moisture, with it's cells undamaged.

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