Nostoc

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Nostoc \Nos"toc\, prop. n. [F.] (Bot.)
     A genus of algae. The plants are composed of moniliform cells
     imbedded in a gelatinous substance.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: {Nostoc commune} is found on the ground, and is


           ordinarily not seen; but after a rain it swells up into
           a conspicuous jellylike mass, which was formerly
           supposed to have fallen from the sky, whence the
           popular names, {fallen star} and {star jelly}. Also
           called {witches' butter}.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  nostoc
       n : found in moist places as rounded jellylike colonies