c/asklemmy · by cosmicrookie@lemmy.world · 2y

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.

202 points · 23 comments · view on lemmy.world

23 Comments

uservoid1@lemmy.world · 124 pts · 2y (9 replies)

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

cosmicrookie@lemmy.world · 37 pts · 2y (8 replies)

That is really surprising because it didn't feel that cold. It's actually +1C at the moment so did not even consider ice!

Madison420@lemmy.world · 33 pts · 2y (5 replies)

It says in the article it can persist for days.

cosmicrookie@lemmy.world · 30 pts · 2y (4 replies)

Yes! I am not doubting it at all. I am just surprised at it being ice (even after reading the Wikipedia link)

shadmere@lemmy.world · 33 pts · 2y (3 replies)

Though apparently only forms because of a fungus!

mihnt@lemmy.world · 55 pts · 2y (2 replies)

If you can't explain it or it's weird as hell, it's always a fungus.

faintwhenfree@lemmus.org · 8 pts · 2y (1 reply)

!The fungus shapes the ice into fine hairs through an uncertain mechanism and likely stabilizes it by providing a recrystallization inhibitor similar to antifreeze proteins!<

I always find these interesting that we still haven't figure out fungi fully.

meekah@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

Wer haven't figured out anything fully

WestwardWind@lemm.ee · 5 pts · 2y

You should submit some of your photos to Wikipedia. They're very clear compared to some of the handful in the article

Valmond@lemmy.mindoki.com · 1 pts · 2y

Probably because the mass is very low.

SharkAttak@kbin.social · 14 pts · 2y (2 replies)

You didn't touch, did you?! Ooh god, I bet op did.

I'm so sorry.

PixxlMan@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Nah he just ate it. Delicious!