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Xylaria polymorpha |
Xylaria polymorpha, commonly called Dead Man's
Fingers, appears throughout the year at the base of beechwood stumps and
occasionally on other buried hardwoods.
Identification guide |
Description |
Dead Man's Fingers is a very apt name for this
morbid-looking species, which usually arises in tufts of three to six
fingers, which are usually bent and give the impression of arthritic black
knuckles. The surface is slightly granulated.
As seen here, inside the fruitbody the flesh is white; it is quite hard. |
Dimensions |
Individual fingers vary from 1 to 3 cm in diameter and are usually between 3 and 8 cm long. |
Spore print |
Black. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
On or near to the stumps of dead beech trees and, less frequently, other broad-leaf tree stumps. |
Season |
Mainly summer and autumn, but some fruit bodies can usually be found throughout the year. |
Occurrence |
Frequent. |
Similar species |
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