Mushrooms That Look Like Fingers are not a myth; they are real! Read ahead to learn more about these quirky specimens!
Mother Nature has numerous peculiar specimens, but these mushrooms are quite intriguing due to their finger-like appearance. In this article, we’ll look closely at some of these unusual mushrooms that stand out in the botanical world with their quirky look.
Mushrooms That Look Like Fingers
1. Dead Man’s Fingers
Botanical Name – Xylaria polymorpha
Edible Status – Not Edible
Dead man’s fingers mushroom looks identical to fingers due to its cylindrical, upright fruiting bodies and fingernail-like tips. This mushroom also resembles a dead hand emerging from the ground, hence the name.
2. Dead Moll’s Fingers
Botanical Name – Xylaria longipes
Edible Status – Not Edible
A member of the Xylariaceae family, this finger-shaped fungus species can become 2.5–6.5 cm tall and 0.5–1.5 cm thick in ideal growing conditions. Dead Moll’s Fingers prefer to thrive on logs or sticks of dead sycamore, beech, and maple trees.
3. Devil’s Fingers
Botanical Name – Clathrus archeri
Edible Status – Edible
Devil’s Fingers is aptly named for its bright red finger-like protrusions, which also look similar to octopus tentacles. This rare fungus variety emits a strong, unpleasant odor similar to rotting meat that can’t go unnoticed.
4. Elegant Stinkhorn
Botanical Name – Mutinus elegans
Edible Status – Edible
Elegant stinkhorns are foul-smelling fungi that look similar to fingers and penises. They are available in red, pink, white, yellow, and orange shades. You can easily spot them on mulch, leaf litter, forest floor debris, flowerbeds, and lawns.
5. Poisonous Fire Coral Mushroom
Botanical Name – Podostroma cornu-damae
Edible Status – Highly Toxic
This fire coral mushroom stands out in its native habitat with its finger-like upright fruiting bodies. It’s highly toxic, containing several trichothecene mycotoxins, so it’s not recommended for consumption at all.