Stalagmites may also refer to a type of fungus.

The Witch's Finger in the Carlsbad Caverns

A stalagmite is a form that can be found on the floor of a cave. It rises from the floor of a limestone cave when mineralized solutions drip from the ceiling and deposits of calcium carbonate form columns on the ground. The corresponding formation on the ceiling of a cave is known as a stalactite.

There are several methods to help remember which formation hangs from the ceiling (stalactite) and which rises from the floor (stalagmite):

• StalaCtite has a "c" for "ceiling".
• StalaGmite has a "g" for "ground".
• The T in StalacTite resembles one hanging from the ceiling, while the M in StalagMite resembles a formation rising from the floor.