Xylaria hypoxylon

Scientific name:  Xylaria hypoxylon (L.) Grev.
Derivation of name: Xyl- means "woody." Hypo- means
"below" or "under" and xylon refers to "wood."
Synonyms:  Xylosphaera hypoxylon (L.) Dumort.,
Sphaeria hypoxylon (L.) Pers., Clavaria hypoxylon L.
Common name(s):  Candlesnuff fungus
Phylum:   Ascomycota
Order:   Xylariales
Family:   Xylariaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; clustered on
or near decaying hardwood; June through August. 
Dimensions:   These ascocarps may be up to 8 cm tall.
Description:  Fruiting body usually has slender black branches
with antler-like white tips.  When found in the spring, the entire
ascocarp may be white to grayish and powdery as a result of
the formation of asexual spores. Later in the season, mature
forms are blackish and minutely pimply. The small bumps are
the locations of sexual spore producing structures called
perithecia. The perithecia are embedded in a tough white
flesh called the stroma.            
Edibility:   Not edible.
Comments: This Xylaria species is usually more distinctly
branched than is X. polymorpha and the stalks and branches
are thinner, more slender. Barron states that the black,
pimply sexual stage of Xylaria hypoxylon typically occurs as
unbranched stalks.

More information at MushroomExpert.com:



Figure 1. Appearance of slender, branched fruit bodies on
deaying wood. Photo © Steve Nelsen


Figure 2. White conidial stage. Photo © David Work.

Figure 3. A closer look at the conidial stage. Photo © David
Work.


Figure 4. Fruit bodies with white tips.
Photo © Steve Nelsen.

Figure 5. The small dark bumps are the locations of the
perithecia. Photo © Roz Lowen.

Figure 6. Entirely black sexual stage of Xylaria hypoxylon.
Photo © George Barron.