Synonyms: Albocrustum atropunctatum, Anthostoma atropunctatum, Biscogniauxia maritima, Diatrype atropunctata, Hypoxylon atropunctatum, Nummularia atropuncta, Nummularia atropunctata, Nummularia cinerea, Nummularia punctata, Numulariola atropunctata, Sphaeria atropunctata.
Common name: Hypoxylon Canker of Oak.
Biscogniauxia atropunctata is a species of fungus in the family Xylariaceae, characterized by its black, carbonized stromata with flattened, disk-like perithecia. In East and Central Texas, it is commonly found on dead branches and trunks of various tree species, particularly oak and elm, often in wooded areas and along streams. The fungus typically fruits in late summer to early fall, producing ascospores that are dark brown to black in color. It is a saprotrophic fungus, playing a role in decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients in the ecosystem.
Gray-white smooth sheet with black dots of a fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) on a dry oak tree in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 2, 2017
Hensel Park DriveWay, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Gray-white crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 2, 2017Hensel Park DriveWay, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Close up of black dots of a fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 2, 2017Hensel Park DriveWay, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) and some light brown corticioid fungus on a dry oak tree in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 2, 2017Hensel Park DriveWay, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) and a tan resupinate polypore fungus on oak's bark in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, December 2, 2017Hensel Park Picnic Shelter, College Avenue, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) on a dry oak on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, December 7, 2017Kiwanis Nature Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, 77843, United States
Gray-white crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, April 8, 2018Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Tan to brown asexual stroma of a fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata on a fallen tree on Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 17, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
White to brown asexual stage of crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata on a fallen tree on Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 17, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gray-white crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 26, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gray-white crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) with slug tracks on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville. Texas, January 26, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 26, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Black dots of a fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 26, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Gray-white crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 15, 2019
Gray-white crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 15, 2020Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Asexual stage of crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata on a fallen tree in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 19, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Brown asexual stroma of crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata on a fallen tree in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 19, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Crustose lichens and crust fungus Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon atropunctatum) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 23, 20202000 Campbell Ct, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Hypoxylon canker of oak fungus (Biscogniauxia atropunctata) on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, October 31, 2020Lake Somerville Trailway, Ledbetter, TX 78946, USA
Hypoxylon canker of oak fungus (Biscogniauxia atropunctata) Flag Pond near Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, July 15, 2022Colvin, Lee County, Texas, United States
Close-up of Hypoxylon canker of oak fungus (Biscogniauxia atropunctata) Flag Pond near Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, July 15, 2022Colvin, Lee County, Texas, United States
Spores of Hypoxylon canker of oak fungus (Biscogniauxia atropunctata) collected 7/15/2022 on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, July 23, 2022Observations of Biscogniauxia atropunctata in East and Central Texas revealed a gray-white smooth sheet with black dots on dry oak trees. The fungus was found in various locations, including Hensel Park, Sam Houston National Forest, and Lick Creek Park, between December 2017 and July 2022. It appeared as a crust fungus with black dots, sometimes accompanied by other fungi or lichens. The fungus was also observed on fallen trees, with its asexual stage appearing tan to brown. In some cases, slug tracks were present on the fungus. The observations suggest that Biscogniauxia atropunctata is common in the region, particularly on oak trees, and can be found throughout the year. Spores of the fungus were also collected and examined, providing further insight into its characteristics. Overall, the observations highlight the presence and diversity of Biscogniauxia atropunctata in East and Central Texas.
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