Amidst the wonders of nature, a frightening spectacle captivates the eye: huge bats dominate the sky, while disturbing “snakes” slither through the trees.
Meet Regan Daniels, a passionate North Carolina native whose unexpected discovery has sparked worldwide fascination.
In the summer of 2020, Regan set out on a hike through the scenic woods of western North Carolina, unaware that she would stumble upon something truly extraordinary. Curiosity got the better of her and she eagerly grabbed her camera, determined to capture the surreal beauty of the scene she encountered and share it with the world.
His photos eventually gained attention on the popular Facebook page Mushroomcore, a community of more than 30,000 mushroom enthusiasts.
What caught her attention were some peculiar mushrooms known as Dead Man’s Fingers. With their black, bumpy, gnarled shapes resembling unsettling limbs, the mushrooms initially reminded Regan of a Halloween prop come to life.
“I saw this Dead Man’s Fingers mushroom and I really thought it was a scary Halloween decoration!” Regan shared in her post. She revealed that these striking mushrooms, while scary in appearance, grow all year round and are often overlooked by many nature walkers.
While dead man’s fingers (scientifically known as Xylaria polymorpha) are spreading to various parts of the world, they are mainly found in the UK, Ireland, Europe and parts of North America. With a bit of luck, nature lovers might stumble upon these oddly shaped fungi hiding in the corners of the forest.
These fungi thrive on rotting tree stumps and decaying wood, especially on deciduous trees such as beech. They typically grow among moss and dead leaves, feeding on dead or dying wood, which helps them maintain their eerie presence. However, Xylaria polymorpha is not edible, which discourages any culinary interest.
Regan’s encounter with these haunting clusters happened while she was exploring a park near the French Broad River in North Carolina. She managed to capture the mushrooms alongside another species growing on the same rotting tree stump, a sight that raised suspicions among some skeptics who wondered if the photos had been digitally altered. Yet the reality of these mushrooms is well-documented in multiple photos shared online.
Regan shared with Bored Panda: “I found these mushrooms in a park I frequently visit in western North Carolina”. While the area has been well-studied, her discovery was notable for the remarkable preservation of these mushrooms.
The unsettling appearance of dead man’s fingers discourages many people from touching or interacting with them. This natural aversion helps these unique mushrooms retain their mysterious and rare charm in the wild.