Candlesnuff Fungus
ExploreFungi
Candlesnuff Fungus
Xylaria
Candlesnuff Fungus looks like tiny white candles sticking up from the ground! It's a fun sight to see in the woods.
Habitat: Decaying wood
Appearance
The Candlesnuff Fungus is a striking club-shaped or antler-like fungus, typically black at the base with distinctive white, powdery tips. These tips give it the appearance of snuffed-out candles, making it easy to identify on dead wood.
KingdomFungiPhylumAscomycotaClassSordariomycetesOrderXylarialesFamilyXylariaceaeGenusXylaria
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It got its name because its white tips resemble the burnt wicks of extinguished candles.
Its unique white tips are actually tiny spores ready to drift away in the wind!
Look for it on old tree stumps and fallen branches, especially in damp forests.
The fungus often grows in clumps, making it look like a collection of mini stag horns.
Special abilities
Ability
Wood Recycler
Candlesnuff Fungus can break down tough dead wood because it produces powerful enzymes that help return nutrients to the forest.
Ability
Spore Sprinkler
Candlesnuff Fungus has fuzzy white tips that release tiny, visible spores, helping them easily spread to new pieces of dead wood.
Ability
Survival Strategist
Candlesnuff Fungus has perennial fruiting bodies that can survive through winter, allowing it to grow and release spores over a long period.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 2-6 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Year-round
- Spore Color
- Black
Ecological connections
depends on
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Decomposes dead wood of this tree species.
depends on
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur
Feeds on decaying logs and stumps of oak.
depends on
European Aspen
Populus tremula
Helps break down dead aspen wood.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Dead Man's FingersDead Man's Fingers FungusXylaria Fungus
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Candlesnuff Fungus?
2-6 cm
Is Candlesnuff Fungus edible?
inedible
Where is Candlesnuff Fungus usually found?
Decaying wood
What does Candlesnuff Fungus grow on?
wood
When is Candlesnuff Fungus in season?
Year-round
What color are Candlesnuff Fungus spores?
Black
Snap Map
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