Scientists recently discovered that a zombie finger-like fungus, an endangered species known only from a handful of locations, is widespread in Australia.

A type of fungus that resembles rotting human fingers is in danger of extinction.

They are also called , or tea tree fingers, because their shape resembles stubby human fingers clinging to wood in the forest, although the mottled pinkish-brown color and texture of the fungus makes the fingers look like more like dead than alive.

An expedition led by naturalists from Australia’s Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) recently demonstrated that this mushroom species occurs in at least two other places in the Australian state.

Michael Amor, a postdoctoral researcher at RBGV and leader of the mushroom exploration team, said the appearance of this mushroom can scare people, but it has evolved into such a strange shape. to help it survive.

“Since it is found on dead, often disconnected branches, its finger-like shape may make it flexible enough to grow on curves/crevices and deal with bend, crack and fall”.

Fungi are parasitic, often growing on other fungal hosts, rotting wood. This is also a delicious snack for moth larvae and other insects.