Edible?
Oh heck no. Technically not poisonous, but super woody; chewing on one would be the same as gnawing on a stick. Even dried and ground, it would only be bitter, unpleasant, and a waste of time. This is a good reminder that “not toxic” doesn’t mean something is “good to eat.”
Look at them, take a creepy picture, but don’t consider putting one in your dinner.
Safe to touch?
Yes. Dead Man’s Fingers are not dangerous to touch, they will not give you a rash or ooze anything. That said, however, they’re wild fungi; you should wash your hands after handling, especially if you are out during so-called “spore season” and prone to allergies.
When and where can you see them?
You’ll see them from late in the summer and into fall, but once dried and hardened they’re fairly persistent, decaying very slowly for most of the year. Some may even appear to be poking through snow.
Look for them around hardwoods, especially oak, beech, or maple, at the base of rotting stumps or related to detached roots. They prefer shady, damp conditions.
Why do they look like fingers?
It is not intentional. They are not “trying” to resemble fingers, it is purely how they are growing. The elongated shape is likely related to spore dispersal. The creepy resemblance to human anatomy is accidental. However, the coloration of the tips can appear to be fingernails, which does not help their horror film reputation.
Why you should care?
Because they are fascinating if you can get past the creepiness. Despite their unrealistic or terrifying appearance, Dead Man’s Fingers play an important role in the ecosystem. They break down hard and tough hardwood, creating enriched soil for new plants to grow, which in turn give back to the entire forest.
It’s a good reminder that some of the most grotesque can equally be the most helpful.
source: Reddit
So, the next time you are out hiking and see what looks like a skeleton’s hand coming out of the ground, don’t run away — take a photo and google it. You most likely met Xylaria polymorpha. Dead Man’s Fingers. Weird name, weirder look, but outside of the “dead thing” part, quite amazing.
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