any fans of fungus...

Tessa HD

know what this is? can't find it online. i think it looks like the top of a pineapple. first time i've ever seen it. found it in the wilderness, higher elevation...

Maestro

Cool fungus. I have no idea what it is. Curiously, though, we have received so much rain here in the North Texas that lichen is growing on some dead tree stumps in my backyard. I thought I would never see that.

LeLoup

American cancer-root
Hi, very cool photo!

This looks like the American cancer-root/Squawroot (Conopholis americana).

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COAM
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2005/05/conopholis_amer.php

TP

Tessa HD

thanks so much for finding that info! i searched and searched and must not have been using the best key words to find it. what a strange name.

Tessa

Ric Grupe

Hmmm....what did it taste like?

Nice capture.

Not sure if I 've ever seen this before.

Tessa HD

i was just doing some more reading - it's NOT a fungus, it's a parasitic plant that lacks chlorophyll. huh. neat. I found something last year that also lacked chlorophyll...ghost plant or indian pipe...

Tessa HD

Ric - I just read that it entire plant IS edible! the roots are sweet! Wow! Not sure if I'm brave enough to try it though!

Tessa

Dick on Aruba

Good find Tessa!

Thanks for sharing,

Dick.