JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

Dead Man's Fingers - Xylaria polymorpha You have to be on your guard when walking past this fungus or else it may grab you by the ankle and pull you underground.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Rotting wood in a mixed forest<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/89726/dead_mans_fingers_-_xylaria_polymorpha.html" title="Dead Man&#039;s Fingers - Xylaria polymorpha"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/3232/89726_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1678320010&Signature=92DvqqdVp5J8BlWrWg%2BW32hysdw%3D" width="116" height="152" alt="Dead Man&#039;s Fingers - Xylaria polymorpha The last time I found this fungus, I got a blurry cross-section photo. This time, I determined to get a better shot, but this is nearly as bad.<br /> <br /> The little black dots around the edges are called perithecia. The perithcia have a layer of asci, which contain the ascospores.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Growing on rotting wood in a mixed forest<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/89725/dead_mans_fingers_-_xylaria_polymorpha.html Dead Man&#039;s Fingers,Geotagged,Summer,United States,Xylaria polymorpha" /></a></figure> Dead Man's Fingers,Geotagged,Summer,United States,Xylaria polymorpha,xylaria Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Dead Man's Fingers - Xylaria polymorpha

You have to be on your guard when walking past this fungus or else it may grab you by the ankle and pull you underground.

Habitat: Rotting wood in a mixed forest

Dead Man's Fingers - Xylaria polymorpha The last time I found this fungus, I got a blurry cross-section photo. This time, I determined to get a better shot, but this is nearly as bad.<br /> <br /> The little black dots around the edges are called perithecia. The perithcia have a layer of asci, which contain the ascospores.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Growing on rotting wood in a mixed forest<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/89725/dead_mans_fingers_-_xylaria_polymorpha.html Dead Man's Fingers,Geotagged,Summer,United States,Xylaria polymorpha

    comments (4)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    I think this one's safe, looks more like another body part instead of fingers :) Posted 2 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Huh. And, what body part would that be? ;P

      These are definitely creepier:
      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqMD7d7WEAAGlnw?format=jpg&name=small

      and these too:
      https://www.technobyte.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Dead-mans-fingers-768x768.jpg       Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
        Lion
        View Lion class
        That first one truly is scary lol. Posted 2 years ago
        1. View Christine Young's profile
          Christine Young
          Lion
          View Lion class
          I would love to find some in that condition. Posted 2 years ago

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

The Dead Man's Fingers

"Xylaria polymorpha", commonly known as dead man's fingers, is a saprobic fungus. It is a common inhabitant of forest and woodland areas, usually growing from the bases of rotting or injured tree stumps and decaying wood.

Info 25 0
Similar species: Xylariales
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Feb 8, 2020. Captured Aug 31, 2019 11:48 in 1 Richmond Rd, Winchester, NH 03470, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 34,686 8,606 8
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/4.0
  • 1/64s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.