Synonyms: Diatrypella stigma, Diatrype undulata, Hypoxylon operculatum, Hypoxylon stigma, Libertella aurea, Libertella betulina, Naemaspora aurea, Naemospora aurea, Naemospora microspora, Nemania decorticata, Nemania stigma, Sphaeria cinerea, Sphaeria decorticans, Sphaeria decorticata, Sphaeria kirbii, Sphaeria stigma, Sphaeria undulata, Stictosphaeria hoffmanii, Stictosphaeria undulata, Stromatosphaeria stigma, Stromatosphaeria undulata.
Common name: common tarcrust.
Diatrype stigma is a species of fungus in the family Diatrypaceae, characterized by its discoid to cupulate apothecia with short stalks, and ascospores that are dark brown to black, ellipsoid, and bicellular. In East and Central Texas, Diatrype stigma has been found on various deciduous trees, including oak, elm, and pecan, typically growing on dead branches or trunks. The fungus is relatively common in the region, particularly during the spring and fall months when moisture levels are higher. It is often associated with other fungi and lichens that colonize decaying wood.
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma)(?) on a branch of a fallen oak on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 27, 2019
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Texture of common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma)(?) on an oak branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 27, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma, Xylaria family)(?) on an oak branch on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, December 27, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Black crust fungus Diatrype stigma on a fallen oak branch in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, January 19, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma)(?) on a fallen branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 20, 2020Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma)(?) with lichens on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 20, 2020Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Texture of common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma)(?) on a fallen branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, January 20, 2020Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma)(?) on a fallen branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 10, 2020Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma, Xylaria family)(?) on an oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 15, 2020Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma, Xylaria family)(?) on a fallen tree branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 15, 2020Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Close-up of common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on a branch of a fallen oak on a sewage line right of way in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 27, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Texture of common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on a branch of a fallen oak on a sewage line right of way in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 27, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on a branch of a fallen oak on a sewage line right of way in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 27, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) from a branch of a fallen oak, collected a day before in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 28, 2023
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on a fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 12, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on dry branches of a recently fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 12, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on a small fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Close-up of common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on thin brances of a fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Common tarcrust fungus (Diatrype stigma) on thin brances of a fallen oak in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, April 19, 2024Yaupon Loop Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United StatesObservations of Diatrype stigma were made in East and Central Texas, specifically in Sam Houston National Forest and Lick Creek Park. The fungus was found growing on fallen oak branches, with a black crust-like appearance. It was observed in various locations, including Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail, Big Creek Scenic Area, and Lick Creek Park. The texture of the fungus was also noted, with some observations showing a close-up of its surface. The fungus was found to be associated with lichens on occasion. Observations were made over several years, from 2019 to 2024, with multiple sightings in different seasons, indicating that Diatrype stigma is present in the region throughout the year.
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