New to me fungus

ssorllih · Post by **ssorllih** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 18:47

I found these growing in the edge of a crushed stone driveway on the edge of a mixed hardwood forest. Hogans mushroom is my identifier.

Chuckwagon · Post by **Chuckwagon** » Tue Jul 22, 2014 19:55

Yikes! You've discovered Dukdroppinonus Fromaboveus! It spread as quickly as the common but dreaded Bovine "stepnslip" cowcrapnearus! Not deadly, but it messes up your "perty" boots!

ssorllih · Post by **ssorllih** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 02:37

I got this answer from a local mushroom club.

At 05:29 PM 7/22/2014, you wrote:

Good afternoon. I live and work in Harford county Maryland and discovered this growth that I have not seen before. It was/is established on the edge of a mixed hardwood forest all the side of a driveway of crushed stone. The surface is dry, the surfaceÂ texture abrasive, the structure is hard and quite difficult to break, the odor is mild. If any member is familiar with this variety I would be most pleased to know more about it than I have been able to learn so far on my own.

It's called "Deadman's fingers" or Xylaria polymorpha. Check out http://www.mushroomexpert.com/xylaria_polymorpha.html

We find it around here every once in a while, but it's always a source of interest and amusement when it crops up.

Cheryl Dawson for Eastern Penn Mushroomers

el Ducko · Post by **el Ducko** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 02:49

Hey, Ross, do you think the name "dead man's fingers" is a clue as to whether or not you should eat it?

ssorllih · Post by **ssorllih** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 03:10

The texture of the outside is like 120 grit sand paper. and it is as tough as cork.