There's a Fungus That Looks Exactly Like a Human Finger

Stumbling upon a cluster of dark, gnarled digits poking through the leaf litter can be a startling experience. These eerie protrusions are not what they seem, but rather the fruiting bodies of a fungus known as Xylaria polymorpha. Aptly nicknamed 'dead man's fingers,' this organism thrives on decaying wood, playing a vital role as a decomposer in forests throughout North America and Europe. It emerges in clusters from the base of dead or dying hardwood trees and stumps, with its shape and color giving the uncanny impression of a hand reaching from below the soil.

The scientific name itself offers a clue to its nature: 'polymorpha' means 'many forms,' which is fitting as the fungus can appear as simple clubs, branched structures, or its famous finger-like shapes. Its appearance also changes dramatically with age. In the spring, young 'fingers' are often pale blue or greyish with white tips, which release a layer of asexual spores. As they mature, they darken to the familiar wrinkled, black form that so strongly resembles a desiccated digit. While its appearance is captivating, this fungus is considered inedible and should be left undisturbed to continue its important work of recycling nutrients back into the forest floor.