Devil'S Matchstick
ExploreFungi
Devil'S Matchstick
pilophorus acicularis
The Devil's Matchstick is a fascinating fungus that looks like tiny matchsticks sticking out of the ground! It's often found in damp, shady places and can be quite colorful!
Habitat: Moist, shady areas in forests and woodlands.
Appearance
The Devil'S Matchstick has striking grey-green, often branched, stalk-like structures called podetia that resemble tiny matchsticks. Each stalk is capped with a shiny, dark brown to black spherical tip, looking like a burnt match head. This unique, upright form distinguishes it from flatter crustose lichens.
KingdomFungiPhylumAscomycotaClassLecanoromycetesOrderLecanoralesFamilyCladoniaceaeGenusPilophorus
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
Devil'S Matchstick helps scientists know how clean our air is!
It can dry up like a crisp, then bounce back to life with rain!
It can slowly break down rocks, making soil for new plants to grow!
This 'matchstick' is actually two different living things working together!
Special abilities
Ability
Nature's Architects
Devil'S Matchstick can grow on bare rocks because its dual nature allows it to make its own food and cling tightly.
Ability
Extreme Survivor
Devil'S Matchstick has incredible toughness that helps it survive drying out completely and then rehydrating.
Ability
Air Purifier
Devil'S Matchstick can absorb pollutants from the air because it lacks a protective outer layer, which helps monitor air quality.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1-3 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 0.1-0.3 cm
- Growth Substrate
- other
- Season
- Year-round
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Algal Partner
Trebouxia erici
Provides food through photosynthesis.
eaten by
Ringed Springtail
Orchesella cincta
Small invertebrates often graze on lichens.
shelters
Water Bear
Hypsibius dujardini
These microscopic animals often live within lichens.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Firestick FungusMatchstick FungusWood Matchstick
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Devil'S Matchstick?
The easiest way to identify Devil'S Matchstick is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Devil'S Matchstick?
1-3 cm
Is Devil'S Matchstick edible?
inedible
How big is Devil'S Matchstick?
0.1-0.3 cm
Where is Devil'S Matchstick usually found?
Moist, shady areas in forests and woodlands.
What does Devil'S Matchstick grow on?
other
When is Devil'S Matchstick in season?
Year-round
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
Park30 sightings12 species
Washington, US
Nisqually Entrance Historic District
You might spot Devil's Club, Scouler's Corydalis, and Pacific Banana Slug.
View guide →
Park32 sightings5 species
British Columbia, CA
Sx̱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
You might spot Pipsissewa, Western Rattlesnake Plantain, and Salal.
View guide →
