It really does. However, one should keep in mind that humans have overzealous pattern-matching engines. We are really good at erroneously seeing things that we recognize.

I agree, that particular image really reminds me of roots of some sort (though obviously if you zoom in, they're not really roots). However, in this other picture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mars_Global_Surveyor_1.jpg the structure really looks more like a Diffusion Limited Aggegrate ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion-limited_aggregation ), which can also be generated by non-living chemical processes.

I'm not sure if these two pictures are of the same phenomenon, actually?

First thing that comes to mind is the xenofungus from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a giant sentient fungus.

My understanding was that the shapes shown in the pictures are the debris piles left after the geysers.