What is this growth on fallen tree branches?
![](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/be79ef66-2c31-409c-8a26-e3c153de9dac.jpeg)
![](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/44bf11eb-4336-40eb-9778-e96fc5223124.png)
![](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/9caf380c-b69e-462b-8500-f7f83c79c7fc.jpeg?format=jpg&thumbnail=256)
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.
Exidiopsis effusa is the fungus involved, but the feathery white hairs are ice. The fungus facilitates the production. Here's the article.
You didn't touch, did you?! Ooh god, I bet op did.
I'm so sorry.
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.
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)
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!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_ice
That is really surprising because it didn't feel that cold. It's actually +1C at the moment so did not even consider ice!
It says in the article it can persist for days.
Yes! I am not doubting it at all. I am just surprised at it being ice (even after reading the Wikipedia link)