13 Creepy Types of Fungi That Could Star in a Horror Movie

There are so many types of fungi, but many think of mushrooms when they imagine them. They are delicious on pizza, or they grow around trees they see while going on a nature walk. However, there are some weird fungi on this planet that look so horrifying they don’t seem real. What are the most intriguing yet nightmare-inducing species?

1. Devil’s Fingers (Clathrus archeri)

From something you could only assume is from the “Alien” franchise, the Devil’s Finger fungus sprouts from a gooey-looking egg. Then, from it, between four and eight red tentacles emerge. They are pale at the base but comprise a mostly deep red color, sometimes tipped in black. They are several inches long and have a residue covering their surface that attracts flies, like rotting flesh.

2. Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)

Not to be confused with Devil’s Fingers, Dead Man’s Fingers look like their namesake. They are thick, fat, finger-shaped fungi that are gray, as if a corpse decayed. Sometimes, it may appear more wooden in terms of color or texture. Sometimes, they are at the base of trees, looking like the undead’s fingers poking out from the grave.

3. Bleeding Tooth Fungus (Hydnellum peckii)

This weird fungus looks like it’s sick, but it turns out, this is just the way it looks. A creamy, off-white skin is speckled with blood-red postules. They do leak a liquid that has a color and consistency of blood, dripping from the cap. They are gross enough to make the skin shiver. Fortunately, they are not dangerous to humans, even though they appear ghastly.

4. Zombie-Ant Fungus (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis)

In tropical regions, a unique, parasitic fungus attaches itself to insects, but most commonly ants. This terrifying fungus spreads throughout an insect’s body and exoskeleton, burrowing in its mind. Then, it alters its behavior, forcing it to leave its colony and go to a higher place. Once it is at the desired spot, the fungus forces the insect to bite down on something, locking its mandible in place to keep it still. A spore will eventually grow out of its head, infecting other bugs below — true nightmare fuel.

5. Beefsteak Fungus (Fistulina hepatica)

The beefsteak fungus isn’t terrifying to everyone, unless you are squeamish about fungi that look like body parts. It looks like raw meat, with many saying it draws the most resemblance to a tongue or liver. It can definitely be surprisnig if you see it out in the wild if you don’t know it’s a fungus. You might think an actual horror movie is being filmed in the area, and they lost some crucial props in the process.

6. Veiled Lady (Phallus indusiatus)

Some might think this fungus if beautiful, while others could see it as unnerving. The Veiled Lady has a cap, but it grows a lacy skirt underneath it. Unfortunately, it’s known for its digusting smell, so it’s not as romantic as it appears when bugs are swarming throughout the eyelets. This could make its most potentially attractive feature look disgusting.

7. Brain Mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta)

This is another famous weird fungi for looking too similar to an organ. The name tells you everything — this mushroom looks exactly like a brain, ripples and all. The folds are uncanny. It is edible, but only if prepared correctly. Otherwise, it poses dangers. If you’re foraging for mushrooms, be careful when messing with these fungi.

8. Jack-o’-Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus olearius)

In the daylight, the Jack-o’-lantern mushroom has an enticing, bright orange appearance. In the dark, its bioluminescence could be deemed stunning or haunting. They grow near decaying wood in clusters that demand your attention. If you’re wandering around in low light and down expect a hoard of glowing mushrooms, you might think aliens are nearby trying to scare you.

9. Cedar-Apple Rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae)

This fungus looks like those squishy, gooey childrens toys with the jiggly spikes, except it has a tannish body and orange tentacles. They form on cedar trees, and they swell and morph after it rains, looking even more alien than before. You can tell their influence by looking at surrounding leaves, as they will start to develop orange pox.

10. Earthstar Fungus (Geastrum spp.)

Imagine if a starfish was ghostly white, with a massive growth in the center of its body that looked like an eyeball. The Earthstar fungus is a strange one, because it does not like being disturbed. If something touches it, it might release what looks like a puff of smoke, but it’s actually spores. It makes its body look even more eerie if you don’t know what you’re looking at.

11. Witch’s Butter (Tremella mesenterica)

By itself, Witch’s Butter appears like a mostly unassuming yellow, jelly-like substance. However, when it’s growing all over a tree, then it starts to look suspect. Their sliminess speckles wood, making it look sick.

12. Black Witches’ Butter (Exidia glandulosa)

Similar to Witch’s Butter in appearance, Black Witch’s Butter is distinctly dark and ominous-looking. The black color makes the gelatinous texture feel even more appropriate for a horror movie. 

13. Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus)

A Dog Stinkhorn may appear hilarious to some and vile to others. Its long, pale body is tipped with a dark slimy end that invites tons of bugs near it — hence the name. It looks unnatural in the ground and can easily startle the wayward hiker. Some gardeners can find them in their garden beds, and they can be difficult to eradicate since there isn’t any chemical measure that eradicates them.

Weird Types of Fungi That Are Stranger Than Fiction

Now that you know the most jumpscare-worthy fungi, you can exercise even greater caution when out in the natural world. While not all of these are harmful to humans, they look like it on the surface. Stay careful and aware, because these types of fungi, among many others, are some of the strangest species on Earth.