Nature holds much ephemeral or temporary beauty, and when we’re observant enough, we can find whole new momentary worlds during our outdoor travels. Spring wildflowers only last a short while, and mushrooms can spring up overnight. Sometimes these breathtaking discoveries are right outside our backdoor. A man in Washington recently came across a strange frosty formation on his winter hike that he described as “cotton candy” when he posted his picture of it on Instagram. He’d found hair ice on the forest floor.
How it Grows
Many organisms require a trigger for new growth or seed germination. Jack pine, for instance, needs temperatures of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for its cone to open and disperse seeds. ‘Hair ice’ (Exidiopsis effusa) is a fungus that endures cold temperatures. It can trigger ice to form in soft, hair-like wisps on dead and decaying wood.
Hair-Like Structure
Many species of fungal mycelium, or the strings of the fungal body, are woven throughout nature. It’s the duty of fungus to help break down much of the material that falls to the ground. Like a forest can have a succession of tree species as it develops, so does the piece of rotting wood at your feet. The first fungal species to arrive break down sugars in dead wood, then different fungal species inhabit the wood to break down the tougher materials like lignin, complex organic polymers that ultimately determine the wood’s hardness.
Hair ice on the winter forest floor was first identified by Alfred Wegener back in 1918. Researchers didn’t realize until almost 100 years later that it was triggered by the fungal mat growing in the rotting wood. They treated and then tested different pieces of decomposing wood to finally determine this silky, frozen creation was inspired by fungus.
Both the lighter colors and the shape of rotting wood effect the growth of hair ice on the forest floor. Light colors of rotten wood help encourage brighter looking hair ice. Then the fungus takes its cue from the shape of its decomposing wooden home as to which direction and how it should grow.
Its Ephemeral Nature
One of the most fascinating aspects that also keeps sightings rare, is the ephemeral or temporary nature of hair ice. Since it requires such cold temperatures, it’s often gone by the time the morning sun warms the trail. It can be found in forests all around the world including North America, Europe, and even India. So get out on the trail early in the day — you may be richly rewarded!
Related article: The Strange Phenomenon of Smoke Fog in Florida
Featured Image from John Doyle/Unsplash
