unknown structure

[Amanda Neill]

Dear taxacomers,
  I hope everyone interested in plants, insects, and (?) fungi will take a look at:
<http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/biolherb/unknown_jun00.htm> 
and help us identify these bizarre structures.
  Only two of these objects were found, in close proximity, sticking out of the ground on the short stalks shown.  These were found among numerous plant species in the swampy bottomlands of east Texas, USA.  They are dark blue-green in color, and have no scent.  Local botanists do not recognize these objects as any plant-produced structure-- there is no sign of ovules.  Could they be some sort of fungus or insect root gall?
  Thanks for your input,
Amanda Neill



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amanda K. Neill
Department of Biology Herbarium
Texas A&M University
3258 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-3258

Office# (979) 845-3397
Home# (979) 260-9933
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~