Xylaria carpophila    (Pers.) Fr. 

common name(s) : Beechmast Candlesnuff 

New classification: Ascomycota/Pezizomycotina/Sordariomycetes/Xylariomycetidae/Xylariales/Xylariaceae  
Former classification: Ascomycota/Hymenoascomycetes/Pyrenomycetideae/Xylariales/Xylariaceae  

edibility : inedible

potential confusions with Xylaria carpophila toxicity of Xylaria carpophila genus Xylaria  

The fruiting body is column-shaped, sometimes forked antler-like, black towards base, the top being covered with a white dust (all black in spring when maturing).

The flesh is white, tough;

The fertile surface is smooth.

It grows on wood, on rotting wood, on beech.

The fruiting period takes place all year long.
Dimensions: width of fruiting body approximately 0.3 cm (between 0.2 and 0.3 cm)
  total height approximately 4 cm (between 2 and 6 cm)

Distinctive features : column-like to antler-like slender fruiting body, black but powdery-white at the tips; not much branched; on rotting beech mast or beechnut

Xylaria carpophila is still unreported so far in the forest of Rambouillet, and is frequent, more generally speaking .



page updated on 14/01/18