# 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!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Moist, shady areas in forests and woodlands.
- **Also known as:** Firestick Fungus, Matchstick Fungus, Wood Matchstick

![Devil's Matchstick](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pilophorus_acicularis_109164.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Jason Hollinger, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pilophorus_acicularis_109164.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Lecanoromycetes
- **Order:** Lecanorales
- **Family:** Cladoniaceae
- **Genus:** Pilophorus

## 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

- **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.
- **Extreme Survivor:** Devil'S Matchstick has incredible toughness that helps it survive drying out completely and then rehydrating.
- **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
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Size:** 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.
- **Shelter:** Water Bear (*Hypsibius dujardini*) — These microscopic animals often live within lichens.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Devil's Matchstick?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### 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

## Where to spot

- [Nisqually Entrance Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nisqually-entrance-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District
- [Sx̱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sx-tsaqel-chilliwack-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Devil's Matchstick: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/devils-matchstick)