fsl3626
Eco Photo 2-Devil's Fingers
This picture was taken on February 14, 2018 in forest C located on the UNCW campus. The species shown is an example of a rare fungus known by many names, but commonly referred to as Devil’s Fingers (Clathrus archeri). It gets this name for its unique appearance of strands of red tissue resembling a devil’s hand and its repulsive smell. The red tissue generally makes up anywhere from four to eight “arms” each coated with a sticky dark tissue on the inside which gives of the odor said to mimic that of rotten meat. This smell is then used to attract fly’s and other insects to the fungus. While no harm comes the insects, the fungus contaminates them with its sticky spores and then uses to them as a means of dispersal. This species is also indigenous to New Zeleand and Australia although it has also spread throughout Europe and can be found in certain areas throughout the United States. It has been hypothesized that this spread is due to the increased effects of global warming and will likely continue to spread.
Sources:
www.first-nature.com/fungi/clathrus-archeri.php
Eco Photo 2-Devil's Fingers
This picture was taken on February 14, 2018 in forest C located on the UNCW campus. The species shown is an example of a rare fungus known by many names, but commonly referred to as Devil’s Fingers (Clathrus archeri). It gets this name for its unique appearance of strands of red tissue resembling a devil’s hand and its repulsive smell. The red tissue generally makes up anywhere from four to eight “arms” each coated with a sticky dark tissue on the inside which gives of the odor said to mimic that of rotten meat. This smell is then used to attract fly’s and other insects to the fungus. While no harm comes the insects, the fungus contaminates them with its sticky spores and then uses to them as a means of dispersal. This species is also indigenous to New Zeleand and Australia although it has also spread throughout Europe and can be found in certain areas throughout the United States. It has been hypothesized that this spread is due to the increased effects of global warming and will likely continue to spread.
Sources:
www.first-nature.com/fungi/clathrus-archeri.php