California

It’s not a ‘frozen waterfall.’ What is this massive object growing from Redwoods logs?

White tendrils looking like frozen icicles hang from multiple tufts of a Coniferous Lion’s Mane mushroom.
White tendrils looking like frozen icicles hang from multiple tufts of a Coniferous Lion’s Mane mushroom. NPS Photo: Brad Fisher

A 100-pound blob is growing out of fallen logs in the Redwoods — and it’s edible.

The Redwoods National and State Parks shared a photo Friday on Facebook of a mysterious-looking growth.

Have you ever seen a mushroom look like a frozen waterfall? Or perhaps a lion’s mane? Well it just happens that...

Posted by Redwood National and State Parks (NPS) on Friday, October 2, 2020

“Have you ever seen a mushroom look like a frozen waterfall? Or perhaps a lion’s mane?” the park wrote. “Well it just happens that today’s fungus is called Lion’s Mane.”

The fungi known as Coniferous Lion’s Mane, or Hericium abietis, is easy to identify, park officials said in the post. It’s large and white, and it can cover fallen logs.

“Look for a large, white basal body covered with large tufts and clumps of spines hanging down like a mane or frozen icicles,” officials said. “The fruiting body of this decomposer of conifers, especially Douglas Fir, can reach epic proportions: Some specimens can weigh up to 100 pounds!”

The species is edible, but harvesting it is prohibited to preserve habitat in the parks.

“Once again, a fungus blows my mind,” one commenter wrote on Facebook.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER