What is this growth on fallen tree branches?
What is this growth on fallen tree branches?
I went for a walk in the woods and found multiple fallen branches with this fairly long growth on them.
I assume that it is a fungus of some sort but does anyone have more info on what kind it is?
I found so many that I eventually stopped taking pictures of it. But I haven't seen this before so I was surprised, as I spend quite a lot of time in the woods.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_ice
Hair ice, also known as ice wool or frost beard, is a type of ice that forms on dead wood and takes the shape of fine, silky hair
That is really surprising because it didn't feel that cold. It's actually +1C at the moment so did not even consider ice!
You didn't touch, did you?! Ooh god, I bet op did.
I'm so sorry.
Nah he just ate it. Delicious!
Rip OP.
Exidiopsis effusa is the fungus involved, but the feathery white hairs are ice. The fungus facilitates the production. Here's the article.
I spend quite a lot of time in the woods
Let me ask the real questions OP: what do you do in the woods?
It will be in the news soon enough...
/s
Just kidding. I just walk our dogs there (quite often)
Super cool find, op!
Thanks! But I am even more happy to learn about this type of fungus-generated ice! Nature is wild!
There’s a fungus among us.
I just saw this for the first time today, 11 days after seeing this post. A person I was with suggested it grew mostly on beech wood.
That's amazing!
Lyons Mane maybe?
Harry who? Harry Fungus!