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Xylaria polymorpha

Dead man’s fingers

Description

The shape of the fruiting bodies and formation of distinctive clumps on root swellings or on thicker roots contributed to the fungus’ common name “dead man’s fingers”. The term “xylaria”, freely translated, means “growing on wood”, while “polymorpha” stands for “many shapes”. In spring the entire face of the pileus is white due to formation of conidia, while in summer tiny perithecia chambers with asci and ascospores are coated with a black cover. The stroma flesh is white. The influence of mycelium results in the so-called black root rot after consumption of glucane in wood, leaving a residue of lignin and cellulose.

Symptom

Coarse gray growths.

Tree Species: Beech

Part of a plant- attacked: Roots

Pest significance: Less harmful

Pest Category: Fungi

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Last observations

There are a total of 2 observations of the species in the system

Xylaria polymorpha Dead man’s fingers
Andrej
Number of votes: 0
Published: 19.9.2024

Xylaria polymorpha Dead man’s fingers
Andrej
Number of votes: 0
Published: 19.9.2024

Xylaria polymorpha Dead man’s fingers
Marián Slamka
Number of votes: 0
Published: 21.8.2024

Xylaria polymorpha Dead man’s fingers
majo
Number of votes: 0
Published: 21.8.2024