h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thanks for this very interesting article! I’ve never heard of this fungus before, does it grow in central Europe as well? Maybe I’ll spot one (or rather what it causes) on my next walk!

Yes I think so. It seems to grow pretty much everywhere, but on different trees.

I wrote this article because I used to walk past a tree every day to school for about 9 years and every winter I'd see these and think they were birds nests. Then the next winter I'd be annoyed as I forgot to look out for the birds that must come back to visit the same tree every year.

I got a shock when I realised what it was.

That really was a fascinating fungus fact I am wondering how many nests I have really seen now or were they witches'broom?Must remember to take binoculars with me ...

Glad you liked it.

What I wondered was how you found out that it wasn't birds nests? or is that just plain nosey of me

I think I must have read a mention of it in a magazine or book or something, and a little went on in my head as I realised that's what I'd been seeing.

Thanks thought maybe you had a passion for tree climbing and discovered it by chance!

hi mina very nice entry.and i must add it was a nice observation

Oh no, I like to stay firmly on the ground.

Thanks flyingtwinkle!

Just wanted to know is it edible at all?Not that I am feeling peckish but you do get edible fungi

I don't think it's edible - I can't find it in any of my mushroom books. And besides it doesn't look very nice.

Thanks will take your word for it and it doesn't look very tasty at all