Species details
Dead man's fingers
Xylaria polymorpha
Inedible
Photo: Елена Смирнова · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A black, hard, club- to finger-shaped wood fungus often growing in tight clusters from decayed wood and resembling black fingers.
Identification features
Fruitbodies are 3–8 cm tall and 1–3 cm wide, club-shaped or irregularly finger-like, greyish at first then black and rough. The flesh is white and very hard.
Identification checklist
Check the thick black finger-like fruitbodies, growth from decayed wood and the white, very hard interior.
How to separate similar species
Xylaria hypoxylon is usually much thinner and often branched, with whitish tips when young.
Habitat
Grows on decaying stumps, logs and buried hardwood from spring to autumn; old fruitbodies may persist into winter.
Fruiting period
April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November