Walking through a forest, you might suddenly come across a strange sight: blackish “fingers” that look like they’re clawing their way out of the ground. It looks like something spooky, as if a hand is pushing through the soil beneath the trees.
But it’s not a hand—it’s a unique fungus called Dead Man’s Fingers, scientifically known as Xylaria polymorpha. I saw mine one chilly autumn day on an old rotted tree stump. These dark growths don’t resemble normal mushrooms with colorful caps—instead, they look like burnt or dried fingers frozen mid-claw.
This fungus grows on dead hardwoods, especially stumps and roots below the soil. It’s harmless to living trees and works by breaking down dead wood, turning it into nutrients that help plants grow. When young, Dead Man’s Fingers are pale and soft; over time, they harden, darken to black, and often have lighter tips that look like fingernails. They are usually small, about one to two inches tall, and grow in bunches that look like a skeletal hand coming from the earth.
They’re not poisonous, but their texture is so tough and woody that they’re inedible, with a bitter taste. Touching them is safe, but washing hands afterward is advised during the spore season if you have allergies.
Found mostly from late summer to fall, they can last months, sometimes even popping through winter snow. They prefer shaded, moist places near hardwood trees like oak or maple. The finger-like form isn’t meant to imitate human hands; it just helps the fungus release its spores more effectively. The pale “nail” tips are a coincidence that adds to their eerie appearance.
Though they look unsettling, Dead Man’s Fingers play a helpful role by recycling dead wood and enriching forest soil. If you ever see what looks like a hand from the ground while hiking, don’t worry—it’s just this fascinating and harmless fungus hard at work.
