''Xylaria'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of ascomycetous fungi commonly found growing on

dead wood ''Dead Wood'' is a 2007 British horror film, written, produced and directed by Richard Stiles and David Bryant and starring Emily Juniper, Fergus March, Rebecca Craven, Nina Kwok and John Samuel Worsey with Bryant appearing in a small role. ''D ...

. The name comes from the

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

''xýlon'' meaning ''wood'' (see

xylem Xylem is one of the two types of transport tissue in vascular plants, the other being phloem. The basic function of xylem is to transport water from roots to stems and leaves, but it also transports nutrients. The word ''xylem'' is derived from ...

). Two of the common species of the genus are ''

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, characterize ...

'' and ''

Xylaria polymorpha ''Xylaria polymorpha'', commonly known as dead man's fingers, is a saprobic fungus. It is a common inhabitant of forest and woodland areas, usually growing from the bases of rotting or injured tree stumps and decaying wood. It has also been know ...

''. ''

'', 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

ascocarp An ascocarp, or ascoma (), is the fruiting body ( sporocarp) of an ascomycete phylum fungus. It consists of very tightly interwoven hyphae and millions of embedded asci, each of which typically contains four to eight ascospores. Ascocarps are m ...

s (fruitbodies) which are black at the base (where the

perithecia An ascocarp, or ascoma (), is the fruiting body ( sporocarp) of an ascomycete phylum fungus. It consists of very tightly interwoven hyphae and millions of embedded asci, each of which typically contains four to eight ascospores. Ascocarps are mo ...

are embedded) but white and branched towards the top, where the fruiting bodies produce white

conidia A conidium ( ; ), sometimes termed an asexual chlamydospore or chlamydoconidium (), is an asexual, non-motile spore of a fungus. The word ''conidium'' comes from the Ancient Greek word for dust, ('). They are also called mitospores due to the ...

(asexual spores). ''

'', 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 Spalting is any form of wood coloration caused by fungi. Although primarily found in dead trees, spalting can also occur in living trees under stress. Although spalting can cause weight loss and strength loss in the wood, the unique coloration and ...

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 linked to spalting of maple.

Species

*'' Xylaria aburiensis'' *'' Xylaria acerata'' *''

Xylaria acuminatilongissima ''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 alata'' *'' Xylaria albisquamula'' *'' Xylaria albocincta'' *''

Xylaria albocinctoides ''Xylaria'' is a genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below ...

'' *''

Xylaria amphithele ''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 angulosa ''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 anisopleura ''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 apiculata ''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 apoda ''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 arbuscula ''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 asperata ''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 assamensis ''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 atrodivaricata ''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 atroglobosa ''Xylaria'' is a genus of Ascomycota, ascomycetous fungi commonly found growing on Coarse woody debris, dead wood. The name comes from the Greek (language), Greek ''xýlon'' meaning ''wood'' (see xylem). Two of the common species of the genus ar ...

'' *'' Xylaria atrosphaerica'' *'' Xylaria avellana'' *''

Xylaria ayresii ''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 azadirachtae'' *'' Xylaria bambooensis'' *'' Xylaria bambusicola'' *'' Xylaria berkeleyi'' *'' Xylaria bicampaniformis'' *'' Xylaria bissei'' *'' Xylaria boergesenii'' *'' Xylaria brevicephala'' *'' Xylaria brunneovinosa'' *'' Xylaria bulbosa'' *''

Xylaria candelabrum ''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 carabayensis'' *''

Xylaria carpophila ''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 castilloi'' *'' Xylaria castorea'' *'' Xylaria chardoniana'' *'' Xylaria choui'' *'' Xylaria cinerea'' *'' Xylaria citrispora'' *''

Xylaria claviceps ''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 clusiae'' *'' Xylaria comosoides'' *'' Xylaria compuncta'' *'' Xylaria coprinicola'' *'' Xylaria coprophila'' *'' Xylaria cordovensiformis'' *'' Xylaria coremiifera'' *'' Xylaria corniformis'' *''

Xylaria cornu-damae ''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 cranioides'' *''

Xylaria crozonensis ''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 cubensis'' *'' Xylaria culicicephala'' *'' Xylaria culleniae'' *'' Xylaria cupressoides'' *''

Xylaria curta ''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 dennisii'' *'' Xylaria digitata'' *'' Xylaria diminuta'' *'' Xylaria discolor'' *'' Xylaria duranii'' *'' Xylaria enteroleuca'' *'' Xylaria eugeniae'' *'' Xylaria exalbida'' *'' Xylaria feejeensis'' *'' Xylaria ficicola'' *'' Xylaria filiformis'' *'' Xylaria filiformoidea'' *'' Xylaria fioriana'' *'' Xylaria formosana'' *'' Xylaria fraseri'' *'' Xylaria friesii'' *'' Xylaria frustrulata'' *'' Xylaria furcata'' *'' Xylaria galandii'' *'' Xylaria glebulosa'' *'' Xylaria gracillima'' *'' Xylaria grammica'' *'' Xylaria griseo-olivacea'' *'' Xylaria griseosepiacea'' *'' Xylaria guaranitica'' *'' Xylaria guareae'' *'' Xylaria guazumae'' *'' Xylaria guepinii'' *'' Xylaria hainanensis'' *'' Xylaria heliscus'' *'' Xylaria himalayensis'' *''

Xylaria hippotrichoides ''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 hypsipoda'' *'' Xylaria intracolorata'' *'' Xylaria intraflava'' *'' Xylaria jaliscoensis'' *'' Xylaria jolyana'' *'' Xylaria jiangsuensis'' – China *'' Xylaria kamatii'' *'' Xylaria karsticola'' *'' Xylaria kaumanae'' *'' Xylaria kretzschmarioidea'' *'' Xylaria lechatii'' *''

Xylaria lepidota ''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 liquidambaris'' *'' Xylaria longipes'' *'' Xylaria louisii'' *'' Xylaria luteostromata'' *'' Xylaria macrospora'' *''

Xylaria magniannulata ''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 magnoliae'' *''

Xylaria maitlandii ''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 mali ''Xylaria mali'' is a plant pathogen that causes black rot on apple An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple fruit tree, trees are agriculture, cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown ...

'' *''

Xylaria maraca ''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 maumeei ''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 meliacearum ''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 mellissii'' *'' Xylaria memecyli'' *'' Xylaria mesenterica'' *'' Xylaria mexicana'' *'' Xylaria michoacana'' *'' Xylaria microceras'' *'' Xylaria minuta'' *'' Xylaria moelleroclavus'' *'' Xylaria moliwensis'' *'' Xylaria monstrosa'' *'' Xylaria montagnei'' *'' Xylaria mornandii'' *''

Xylaria multipartita ''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 multiplex ''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 musooriensis'' *'' Xylaria mycelioides'' *'' Xylaria myosurus'' *'' Xylaria myrosimila'' *''

Xylaria nigromedullosa ''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 obovata'' *'' Xylaria ochraceostroma'' *'' Xylaria opulenta'' *'' Xylaria oxyacanthae'' *'' Xylaria palmicola'' *'' Xylaria papulis'' *'' Xylaria papyrifera'' *''

Xylaria paulistana ''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 perezsilvae'' *'' Xylaria petchii'' *'' Xylaria pisoniae'' *'' Xylaria platypoda'' *'' Xylaria plumbea'' *''

'' *'' Xylaria polyramosa'' *'' Xylaria polytricha'' *'' Xylaria ponapeana'' *'' Xylaria potentillae'' *'' Xylaria praefecta'' *'' Xylaria primorskensis'' *'' Xylaria psamathos'' *'' Xylaria pseudoapiculata'' *'' Xylaria psidii'' *''

Xylaria pterula ''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 punjabensis'' *'' Xylaria queenslandica'' *'' Xylaria quercinophila'' *'' Xylaria ramosa'' *'' Xylaria ramus'' *'' Xylaria reperta'' *'' Xylaria reticulata'' *'' Xylaria rhopaloides'' *'' Xylaria rimulata'' *'' Xylaria rosea'' *'' Xylaria salonensis'' *'' Xylaria sanchezii'' *''

Xylaria scabriclavula ''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 schreuderiana'' *'' Xylaria scopiformis'' *'' Xylaria semiglobosa'' – China *'' Xylaria sibirica'' *'' Xylaria sicula'' *'' Xylaria sphaerica'' – China *'' Xylaria squamulosa'' *'' Xylaria stilbohypoxyloides'' *'' Xylaria stromafera'' *'' Xylaria subcoccophora'' *'' Xylaria symploci'' *'' Xylaria tanganyikaensis'' *'' Xylaria tectonae'' *'' Xylaria tenuispora'' *'' Xylaria terminaliae-bellericae'' *'' Xylaria terminaliae-crenulatae'' *'' Xylaria thailandica'' – southern Thailand *'' Xylaria theissenii'' *'' Xylaria thindii'' *'' Xylaria tischeri'' *'' Xylaria tolosa'' *'' Xylaria tuberiformis'' *''

Xylaria tucumanensis ''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 tumulosa'' *'' Xylaria umbonata'' *'' Xylaria uniapiculata'' *'' Xylaria vaporaria'' *'' Xylaria vasconica'' *'' Xylaria wellingtonensis'' *'' Xylaria wulaiensis'' *'' Xylaria zealandica''

Gallery

Image:Xylaria hypoxylon.jpg, ''X. hypoxylon'' Image:Xylaria longipes Edinburg.jpg, ''X. polymorpha'' Image:Xylaria_polymorpha_(variability).jpg, ''X. polymorpha'' illustrating the range of shapes of fruiting bodies. Image:Xylaria_polymorpha_(split_ascocarp).jpg, A longitudinally split fruiting body of ''X. polymorpha'', showing the many

that lie just beneath the black outer rind. File:Deadmansfingers Jul-3-2009.jpg, ''X. polymorpha'' in early July

References

*Deacon, J. ''Fungal Biology''. Blackwell Publishing. 2005. *Robinson, S. C. and P. E. Laks. 2010. Culture age and wood species affect zone line production of ''Xylaria polymorpha''. ''The Open Mycology Journal'' 4:18-21. *Robinson, S. C., et al. 2012. Promoting fungal pigment formation in wood by utilizing a modified decay jar method. ''Wood Science and Technology'' 46:841-849. *Robinson, S. C., et al. Methods of inoculating ''Acer'' spp., ''Populus tremuloides'', and ''Fagus grandifolia'' logs for commercial spalting applications. ''Journal of Wood Science'' in press. doi:10.1007/s10086-013-1335-5 {{Taxonbar, from=Q1625602 Sordariomycetes genera Xylariales

Species

Gallery

See also

References