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Xylaria Psamathos
''Xylaria'' is a genus of ascomycetous fungi commonly found growing on dead wood. The name comes from the Greek ''xýlon'' meaning ''wood'' (see xylem). Two of the common species of the genus are ''Xylaria hypoxylon'' and ''Xylaria polymorpha''. ''Xylaria hypoxylon'', known by the common names stag's horn and candle-snuff fungus, is the most conspicuous because of its erect, 3–7 cm tall, antler-like ascocarps (fruitbodies) which are black at the base (where the perithecia are embedded) but white and branched towards the top, where the fruiting bodies produce white conidia (asexual spores). ''Xylaria polymorpha'', dead man's fingers, often grows in finger-like clusters from the base of a tree or from wood just below ground level. This is a primary fungus utilized in the spalting of sugar maple and other hardwoods. ''Xylaria longipes'', known by the common name dead moll's fingers, allegedly improves the quality of the wood used in string instruments. It has not been lin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Xylaria Hypoxylon
''Xylaria hypoxylon'' is a species of fungus in the family Xylariaceae. It is known by a variety of common names, such as the candlestick fungus, the candlesnuff fungus, carbon antlers, or the stag's horn fungus. The fruit bodies, characterized by erect, elongated black branches with whitened tips, typically grow in clusters on decaying hardwood. The fungus can cause a root rot in hawthorn and gooseberry plants. Taxonomy ''Xylaria hypoxylon'' was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1745, and then later mentioned by him in his ''Species Plantarum II''. The specific epithet is derived from the Greek words ''hypo'' meaning "below", and ''xylon'', meaning "wood". Description Fruit bodies ( ascocarps) are cylindrical or flattened with dimensions of tall × 2–8 mm thick. The erect ascocarps are often twisted or bent, and typically sparsely branched, often in a shape resembling a stag's antlers. Specimens found earlier in the season, in spring, may be covered completely i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |