What is this thing?

[EmmVeePee]

Yeah, seems 90% of the people I ask say it looks like an alien, or an "alien scrotum" in one case (I guess the orange projections are little pubic hairs?)

[MrMistery]

Occam's raiser: the simplest explination tends to be the right one: What is more probable: alien or fungus?

[Freedom]

My Biology teacher is a Botanist, I can show her the photo and see what she says, but I can't get the photo to load, if I do I'll e-mail it to her and update you guys. If someone could e-mail me the photo that would be great, my e-mail address is [email protected]

[Winter]

I FOUND OUT WHAT IT IS

I e-mailed a retired professor from the university of michigan and asked him to ID this thing. Here's what he answered:

The orange fungus is probably cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium
juniperi-virginianae) since the host is a ornamental juniper, the
infected part of the plant is a "cone" and the fungus growth is orange. The orange
"horns" are typically only visible during wet weather. This rust alternates hosts
between junipers and members of the rose family (e.g., pears, serviceberry).
You should contact a County Extension Agent for positive i.d. and recommendations
for treatment.

So that's it. Mystery solved.

[EmmVeePee]

Nice!

[Biology?!?]

Can it be an orchid?...I ve heard they attach to plants but dont derive nutrition from them ..they have succulent roots which can absorb water from the air...worth a thought

[James]

Good work

[Navin]

Finally its solved, the suspense was killing me.

[MrMistery]

To be honest, I didn't think that we will be able to identify that thing. Good work KylethGrey

[b_d_41501]

I saw an image of rust but I didn't thing it looked that big. hmm....