– Dead man’s fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) is a type of fungus that appears like decaying zombie fingers emerging from rotten logs and tree trunks.
– It gets its name from its black, finger-like fruiting bodies that produce spores. These structures can last for months, releasing spores to reproduce.
– The fungus feeds on decaying wood as a saprotroph, breaking down dead or dying trees and releasing nutrients into the soil.
– While it may seem creepy, dead man’s fingers is not harmful to living trees or humans. It typically colonizes stressed or weakened trees near the end of their life.
– Fungi like dead man’s fingers are considered “immortal” as their network of thread-like hyphae can spread indefinitely as long as suitable wood is available. Some fungus networks may be thousands of years old.
– Researchers study fungi like this to better understand fungal evolution, reproduction, ecology and their role in nutrient cycling as decomposers in forests.
Source: Popular Science
