Just take a moment to marvel at the immense bats or the intimidating “snakes” lurking in a tree, and you’ll see how Mother Nature consistently surprises us with her diverse creations.
Regan Daniels, hailing from North Carolina, shared a series of photos on the Facebook group Mushroomcore that appeared to depict toes of a deceased person. The images quickly gained traction and went viral.
Upon closer examination of the photos, it’s easy to understand their appeal.
These weren’t part of a Halloween display or remnants of some ancient crime scene.
In June 2020, while wandering in Western North Carolina, Regan stumbled upon something intriguing. She whipped out her camera and snapped shots of the peculiar sight, sharing them on the Mushroomcore Facebook page.
With 30,000 members accustomed to seeing stunning forest captures and remarkable finds, Regan’s picture stood out. What exactly had she stumbled upon?
Regan had photographed a fungus known as Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha). These fungi, with their swollen, blackened “fingers” reaching skyward, eerily resemble a figure buried beneath the forest floor, as if making a desperate attempt to escape.
Regan jokingly remarked, “I literally thought this Dead Man’s Fingers (or toes, in this case) fungus was a Halloween decoration!”
Despite their striking appearance, these fungi are actually quite common and can be found year-round. They thrive in many regions across North America, continental Europe, Britain, and Ireland. So, with a keen eye, spotting these swollen, warty “fingers” isn’t impossible.
If you’re on the lookout, check tree stumps or decaying wood from broadleaved trees, particularly beech. The fungus primarily infects dead or dying wood, explaining why Dead Man’s Fingers often emerge from rotting leaves and moss.
Regan Daniels stumbled upon these eerie clusters of Xylaria polymorpha while visiting a park in North Carolina.
Surrounding them were clumps of mushrooms that bore a similar appearance as they sprouted from the stump. While some dismissed the images as too bizarre to be true, there are plenty of striking photos of these mushrooms online, confirming their authenticity.
Regan shared with Bored Panda, “I found the mushroom at a park that I frequent in Western North Carolina, in the United States. The walk is nice, and it’s next to the French Broad River so there’s a lot of good scenery.”
Despite being in a busy area, Regan noticed other specimens that seemed to be in excellent condition. It’s not surprising, though, that few people would pick them, given their resemblance to something poisonous or hazardous.
But would you ever dare to taste a fungus that resembles the toes of a deceased person?