Deadly fungus, poison fire coral, sighted near Cairns, prompting warning for bushwalkers

The world’s second-deadliest fungus has been spotted growing near a popular hiking trail near Cairns, prompting a warning to bushwalkers.

Poison fire coral was first recorded in Cairns in October 2019, and if ingested, can cause the brain to shrink, skin delamination, and even death.

Brad Messer, an avid nature photographer, spotted the rare fungus near Stoney Creek while hiking with his wife.

“It immediately struck me as looking like hands reaching out, so I put my hand close to it for the photo to get a picture of the scale,” he said.

“My fingers started to extend but I thought, ‘I don’t know if I really want to touch this thing’.