Zombie Fingers Fungus Spreads, Creeps Year-Round

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Zombie Fingers

Every year around Halloween, “fingers” from the dead reach around the world. Well, technically “dead man’s fingers” do this all year, too.

• Dead man’s fingers = xylaria polymorpha fungus

• Breaks down wood for new plants to grow

• Finger-like shapes are reproductive structures

Unlike mushrooms that decay quickly, dead man’s fingers can creep us out release spores for months or years. Given enough trees, these zombie-like fingers can spread and live indefinitely. Watch your step!

Must, eat, (wood) graiiiins

Catch-up on science in sweatpants