Xylaria carpophila

Description

Xylaria carpophila is an inedible species of fungi in the family Xylariaceae. It is instantly recognizable because it grows only from the hard outer cases of Beech seeds, which are known as beech mast. In spring, the asexual phase (white frosted spikes of stromat) can be found in abundance. The sexual phase (perithecia) is formed in autumn and is found quite rarely.

It grows all year round on old beech bark. Due to its small stature, it is easily overlooked, often hidden under leaves. It forms numerous clusters, sometimes completely covering empty beech trees.

Common names: Beechmast Candlesnuff, Beukendopgeweizwam (Netherlands), Dřevnatka číškomilná (Czech Republic), Buchenfruchtschalen-Holzkeule (German), Próchnilec Owocolubny (Poland), Bogskål-stødsvamp (Denmark), Drevnatec bukový (Slovakia).

Mushroom Identification

1. Fruiting Bodies

   2-5 cm high, 0.5-1.5 mm in diameter, thin, thread-like, unbranched, blade-like expanded at the top, pointed at the end, often intertwined, hairy at the base, on a short stem, brown in the lower part - black or black, white at the top.

2. Flesh

   The flesh is thin, dense, stiff, and without a distinct taste or smell.

3. Spores

   12-16 * 4-5 μm, irregularly spindle-shaped, blunt at the ends, black-brown.

4. Asci

   80 * 6 μm, 8-spored.

5. Spore Print

   Reddish-brownish-black.

6. Habitat

   Grows throughout the year on old hazelnut shells, on beech fruits, under leaves, and in clusters. In North America, this species grows on the decaying fruits of hornbeam, dogwood, and some other hardwood tree fruits.

Look-Alikes

1. Xylaria filiformis

   Smaller and rarer, fructifies on dead stems of ferns and herbaceous plants.

2. Xylaria delitschii

   Grows on fruits of hornbeam.

3. Xylaria hypoxylon

   Grows on rotting wood and have larger fruit bodies.

History

In 1796 Christiaan Hendrik Persoon named this spiceis as Sphaeria carpophila, but in 1849 Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries transferred it to the genus Xylaria and named it Xylaria carpophila.

The word Xylaria comes from Greek and means wood. The specific epithet carpophila comes from carpo- meaning fruit, and -phila meaning loving or fond of.

Synonyms

1. Hypoxylon carpophilum (Pers.) Link 1833

2. Sphaeria carpophila Pers. 1796

3. Xylaria carpophila var. carpophila (Pers.) Fr. 1849

4. Xylaria carpophila var. luxurians Rehm 1901

5. Xylaria luxurians (Rehm) Lloyd 1918

6. Xylosphaera carpophila (Pers.) Dumort. 1822

7. Xylosphaera luxurians (Rehm) Dennis 1958

Video

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