The size, thickness, and firmness of the fruiting body of dead man's hand make this a readily identifiable fungus. The rind (covering over the spore mass inside) is so thick it frequently is intact months after all the spores are gone. This fungus is also known to crack asphalt on driveways and tennis courts as the fruiting bodies develop. The fruiting bodies are large, roundish in shape, up to 5-6 inches in diameter, tan to tannish brown and breaking up into large scale-like patches upon expansion. They will spit into irregular starlike lobes or rays, usually with 4-6 rays. The peridium or rind is very thick and tan. The Gleba (interior or spore mass) is marbled purple-brown even when very young, becoming blackish-brown and dusty as the spores mature. This plant can be found throughout North Carolina, but more frequently in the Piedmont on exposed clay or sandy soil, especially road banks. It grows in a forest or natural area or landscape. Singly or often in groups of 3-4 fruiting bodies and frequently with 2 or 3 fruiting bodies fused on exposed clay or sandy soil, occasionally in lawns.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
North America, Euorpe, Asia, South America, Oceania
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#mushrooms #poisonous #poisonous mushrooms
Problems & Resistance
Poison severity
Medium
Poison parts
Fruits; Roots
Poison symptoms
The patient may experience gastrointestinal upset including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. Symptoms may appear within 30-45 minutes following ingestion.