Not fluffy white clouds

August 27, 2010 2:54 PM

Help my friend identify this white cloudy thing photographed in a forest in British Columbia!

Here's a photo my friend took on a frosty morning - Sunshine Coast, British Columbia - and it's in a coastal temperate rainforest.

Apparently, there were a few of these on trees and branches beside a lake, and his guess is that it's some sort of fungus that was covered in frost. Any suggestions? Thanks!

posted by carbide to Science & Nature (6 answers total)

You might browse these two sites: E-Flora BC and BC Mushrooms, or perhaps contact their administrators to find someone who might be familiar with local species.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:00 PM on August 27, 2010

Best answer: Needle Frost
posted by donpardo at 3:19 PM on August 27, 2010 [8 favorites]

Response by poster: Brilliant, thank you - he's delighted to have the mystery solved.
posted by carbide at 6:54 PM on August 27, 2010

I'd never heard of this before, but it's beautiful!
posted by limeonaire at 6:58 PM on August 27, 2010

A form of Hoar frost also?
posted by tamitang at 7:38 PM on August 27, 2010

I've seen it in BC in February, growing out of the cracks in the frozen mud. It's frost.
Beautiful stuff.
posted by SLC Mom at 9:48 PM on August 27, 2010