Anyone know what this is?

[frogmarch]

A friend of mine in upstate NY saw it on a tree stump in the woods near her home.

[Kali]

1. looks a little like some type of conifer cone or a fungus

size? texture? stuck to stump or just sitting there? any other physical info?

[Lochloosa]

4. Google Lens says conifer cone. But I've never seen one like that.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

2. I have no idea what it is but it looks cool.

[Atticus]

3. I have narrowed it down to EITHER

the spore of the frumious Bandersnatch OR the eye of the Jabberwock, severed by a vorpal sword.

Reasonably sure it's one of those.

[Lochloosa]

5. Did you really know that was a band from the 60's?

[Atticus]

7. Yes, but before that it was a concoction of Lewis Carroll's fertile imagination. nt

[unblock]

6. Omg! The latest covid variant is huge!

[Iggo]

11. Epsilon !!!!

[Fla Dem]

15. That was my first impression.

[Binkie The Clown]

8. Maybe it will hatch into some kind of alien life form. nt

[2naSalit]

9. Alien pod.

Maybe she better nuke it or something just to be safe.

But then, it could be the nucleus of the life form that actually came here to save us from ourselves.

[jpak]

10. Road Apple

Ouch

[nocoincidences]

12. I find it attractive, in an artichokey sort of way.

[lunatica]

13. A mushroom?

[frogmarch]

14. Thanks, everyone!

I shared your ideas with my friend to see what she thinks it could be when she finds out what you all thought about it.

As for me, I'm leaning toward aliens.

[Donkees]

16. Possibly a variety of Magnolia seed pod? Similar dimpled texture ...

[frogmarch]

17. Wow!

I think you're right, Donkees! I'll show the pictures to my friend.

Thanks!