Credit to the photographer, Noah Siegel (aka mycohobo on IG). Per the IG source of this image:
Death Gives Life: the story behind the claw. Laccaria masoniae is a common New Zealand fungus, which grows in a mutualistic relationship (ectomycorrhizal) with Southern Beech (Nothofagus/Fuscospora). It starts off with more vibrant violet colors when young, fading to gray as it ages. Although typically scattered throughout the forest, it is known to fruit in mass around decaying animal carcasses, in similar fashion to some of the better known mushrooms such as the Corpse Finder (what gets called Hebeloma syrjense) of Europe and possibly North America, or the Ghoul Fungus (Hebeloma aminophilum) of Australia. The nitrogen flush from the decaying corpse triggers the mass fruiting. You can also see this phenomenon of nitrogen flush fruitings with Hebeloma around campsites, especially in western North America, growing from ‘bathroom’ spots. In the case pictured here, it was a trap line to try to control the invasive Brushtail Possum; a species native to Australia, which has become a major pest in New Zealand after its introduction for the fur trade. Seven carcasses were left to decay in the forest, 5 had a large fruiting of Laccaria around them (the other 2 were too fresh). The famous ‘claw’ can be seen in photo 3. While photographing this amazing fruiting, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for the claw to be offering up a bouquet of mushrooms, in a circle of life moment.
the_honest_liar on May 18th, 2023 at 12:56 UTC »
Fyi this is a staged photo, the mushrooms didn't grow there.
Spartan2470 on May 18th, 2023 at 16:13 UTC »
Credit to the photographer, Noah Siegel (aka mycohobo on IG). Per the IG source of this image:
Yes, this was staged.
Obiwan_Salami on May 18th, 2023 at 16:16 UTC »
r/quityourbullshit