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...

http://tessa-hd.smugmug.com/photos/160002280-L.jpg

[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]

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?:barb

Nice capture.:thumb

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...

http://tessa-hd.smugmug.com/photos/83711553-L.jpg

http://tessa-hd.smugmug.com/photos/83711666-L.jpg

[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.