A Melbourne homeowner's discovery of a mysterious black growth under her floorboards has sparked both fear and curiosity. Australia, known for its unique and sometimes frightening wildlife, has now presented something resembling a scene from "Stranger Things."
Hannah Sycamore shared photos of this unusual find in her home on the Australia & New Zealand Fungus Identification Facebook page. The images, showing the growth thriving in the damp conditions caused by wet floorboards, stood out starkly among the usual mushroom pictures on the page.
The post quickly attracted attention, with many commenters drawing parallels to the eerie "Stranger Things" and expressing their alarm. Comments ranged from humorous references to the show to expressions of genuine fear.
Photo: Australia and New Zealand Fungus Identification
In the midst of the commotion, some group members offered insights into what the growth might be. Suggestions included slime mould and tree roots, with one person even proposing it could be the bootlace rhizomorphs of Armillaria, a type of fungus.
The moderator of the page speculated that the growth could be connected to trees outside the house, advising a structural engineer's assessment.
Photo: Australia and New Zealand Fungus Identification
Dr. Patricia Kaishian, a mycology expert at the New York State Museum, weighed in on the matter. Speaking to The New York Post, she emphasized the difficulty of making a definitive identification from photos alone.
However, she speculated that it could be the mycelium of a 'wet rot' fungus known as Coniophora puteana, also referred to as 'cellar rot.'
This intriguing discovery in Melbourne has not only highlighted the diverse and sometimes alarming natural occurrences in Australia but also sparked a lively discussion among enthusiasts and experts in the field of mycology.
