Aussies were left ‘creeped out’ by a ‘mysterious’ foot growing in a woman’s garden – before the fascinating truth behind it was revealed.
Bizarre images of a fungi appropriately named Dead Man’s Fingers were posted on Facebook this week. The unusual Xylaria polymorpha growth is found around the world in mossy, overgrown areas.
The ‘spooky’ and inedible parasitic fungi has finger and toe like structures or ‘stromata’ which can grow up to ten centimeters tall.
They’re most commonly spotted in heavily wooded areas and grow on dead or decaying hardwood trees such as Spotted Gum, Blackbutt and Victorian Ash.
Images of the macabre mushrooms have been circulating in gardening groups, much to the disgust and horror of many who hated the idea of stumbling across the odd find.
‘If I saw these at night in the woods I would not be calm,’ one said.
‘Imagine shining your flashlight on this after hearing something outside of your tent,’ added another.
