So, a couple of weeks ago we came across this odd plant up in the spruce/fir-aspen zone, around 8500 feet, in northern NM. It looks a bit like a a fleshy plant, a bit like a fungus. Still emerging from the duff, the stalks are about an inch and a half in diameter and perhaps seven inches tall. What is it?
Field guides having been of no help, I turn to the wealth of the 'net.
Edited to add- identified by Chas Clifton in the comments!
Yeah, They Do Call Them Bagels
11 years ago
6 comments:
And...that's what you get for turning to the "wealth o' the 'net." I'm afraid I can't be of any more help, except to say, Sure looks funky....
Brett
Brett,
Thanks! I've got to say, I figured some woods-wise reader was going to pop off right away with "that's a ____, why didn't you know that?" Apparently, it's more strange than I realized.
Looks like a saprophyte of some type. I couldn't find an easy answer, but maybe call one of these folks and send the pics:
http://npsnm.unm.edu/
Usually the state Native Plant Society folks are helpful and knowledgeable. Good Luck. Taku
Thanks, Taku!
Take a look at this post.
Scroll down to the "achlorophyllous beastie." Similar sort of organism?
That's it!
Thanks, Chas!
Not quite exactly the same, but the Western variant. Very cool- Alpine Cancer Root.
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