Biscogniauxia mediterranea is a pyrenomycetous fungus that grows on dead branches of trees, particularly oak species. In East and Central Texas, it has been found to fruit on Quercus spp., typically on small, fallen twigs and branches. The stromata are effused-pulvinate to discoid, 1-5 mm in diameter, and dark brown to black. Perithecia are partially immersed, with asci containing eight ascospores that are brown, unicellular, and ellipsoidal. This fungus is commonly encountered during the winter months, particularly after periods of rainfall.
Crust fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea erupting through bark of a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 26, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close up of crust fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 26, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Texture of crust fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea on a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 26, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Crust fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea erupting through bark of a fallen oak branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, October 26, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Black crust fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea erupting through bark of a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 1, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Black crust fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea on a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 14, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Close up of black crust fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea on a fallen oak on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 14, 2019 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of the fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea in East and Central Texas reveal its growth patterns on fallen oaks. The fungus was found erupting through the bark of fallen oak trees and branches on the Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest, with observations recorded on October 26 and December 1, 2019. Close-up views show the texture of the fungus, which appears as a black crust. Similar growth patterns were observed on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness, also in Sam Houston National Forest, on December 14, 2019. The fungus was consistently found on fallen oaks, suggesting a preference for this substrate. The observations span different times of year, indicating the fungus's presence in both fall and early winter. Its black crust-like appearance is a distinctive characteristic.