Dead man's fingers
Xylaria polymorpha
A species of Xylaria.
The aptly named dead man's fingers mushroom (Xylaria polymorpha) possesses a peculiar cap, reminiscent of charred digits sprouting from the point where decaying wood meets the earth. These fungi can reach the height of a hand and transition in color from a deep blue to black as they grow upwards. Their unappealing look and potent toxicity serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering foraging them.
In This Article
Attributes of Dead man's fingers
Height
3 - 10 cm
Cap
Surface smooth and matt, finely granular and wrinkled, with shallow raised warts
Stem
Short cylindrical
Flesh
Tough; white
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
Black
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
Growth Form
Solitary, Clustered, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Saprophytic
Substrate
Dead Woods
You can find Dead man's fingers by these plants
European beech, Oaks
Occurence Habitats
Deciduous Woodland
Species Status
Widely distributed
Endangered Species
No
Scientific Classification of Dead man's fingers
Phylum
Sac fungi
Class
Sordariomycetes
Order
Xylariales
Family
Xylariaceae
Genus
Xylaria
Toxicity and Edibility of Dead man's fingers
Is Dead man's fingers Toxic?
Toxicity information is not available for this mushroom. Always consult with an expert before consuming any wild mushrooms.
