Synonyms: Cladotrichum fuscum, Diplosporium fuscum, Hypoxylon bicolor, Hypoxylon bicoloratum, Hypoxylon commutatum, Hypoxylon confluens, Hypoxylon coryli, Hypoxylon glomerulatum, Hypoxylon lianincola, Hypoxylon oregonense, Hypoxylon pruinatoides, Hypoxylon purpureum, Hypoxylon subchlorinum, Hypoxylon vinosum, Peripherostoma fuscum, Peripherostroma fusca, Rosellinia bicolor, Sphaeria castorea, Sphaeria confluens, Sphaeria coryli, Sphaeria effusa, Sphaeria fragiformis, Sphaeria fusca, Sphaeria glomerulata, Sphaeria tuberculosa, Stromatosphaeria fusca.
Common name: hazel woodwart.
Hypoxylon fuscum is a species of fungus in the family Hypoxylaceae, characterized by its dark brown to black, carbonaceous stromata with perithecial mounds. In East and Central Texas, it typically grows on dead branches and logs of deciduous trees, particularly oak and elm. The fungus produces ascospores that are brown, unicellular, and cylindrical, measuring 11-15 μm in length. It is commonly found in wooded areas, including forests and woodlands, where it plays a role in decomposing organic matter.
Brown crust of fungus Virgariella (mitosporic stage of Hypoxylon fuscum) on a fallen branch in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, March 7, 2020
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Crust fungus Virgariella (mitosporic stage of Hypoxylon fuscum) and liverworts on a fallen branch in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, March 7, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Velvety brown crust of fungus Virgariella (mitosporic stage of Hypoxylon fuscum) on a fallen twig at Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 13, 2021Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Velvety brown corticioid fungus Virgariella (mitosporic stage of Hypoxylon fuscum) on a fallen twig at Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 13, 2021Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Velvety brown crust of fungus Virgariella (mitosporic stage of Hypoxylon fuscum) on a fallen twig on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, April 16, 2022Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Hypoxylon fuscum or may be Virgariella on dry stems of Chinese privet(?) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Close-up of rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Hypoxylon fuscum or may be Virgariella on dry stems of Chinese privet(?) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Texture of rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Hypoxylon fuscum or may be Virgariella on dry stems of Chinese privet(?) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, March 10, 2024Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) on dry stems of Japanese privet in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024359, East Brookside Drive, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Close-up of rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) on dry stems of Japanese privet in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024359, East Brookside Drive, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Dried rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) on dry stems of Japanese privet in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024South College Avenue, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) scratched by slugs on dry stems of Japanese privet in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024South College Avenue, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Texture of rusty brown spots of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of a complex of Hypoxylon fuscum) on dry stems of Japanese privet in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024South College Avenue, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Brown spots of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) partially eaten by slugs on dry stems of Japanese privet in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024South College Avenue, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Fresh brown spots of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) with some yellow growth around them on dry stems of Japanese privet in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024South College Avenue, Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, 77801, United States
Conidia (in KOH) of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) from Japanese privet, collected in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024
Conidia and encrusted cystidia (in KOH) of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum complex) from Japanese privet, collected in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024
Masses of conidia (in KOH) of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum group) from Japanese privet, collected in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024
Masses of conidia and encrusted cystidia (in KOH) of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum group) from Japanese privet, collected in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024
Conidia and encrusted cystidia (under a microscope) of corticioid fungus Virgariella (anamorph of Hypoxylon fuscum group) from Japanese privet, collected in Hensel Park. College Station, Texas, March 11, 2024Observations of Hypoxylon fuscum in East and Central Texas show the fungus growing on various substrates, including fallen branches and twigs in Sam Houston National Forest, and dry stems of Chinese privet and Japanese privet in Hensel Park. The mitosporic stage, Virgariella, appears as a brown or rusty brown crust or spots, often with a velvety texture. In some cases, the fungus is accompanied by liverworts. Slugs have been observed scratching or eating the fungus. Microscopic examination reveals conidia and encrusted cystidia in KOH. The fungus has been found in various locations, including Big Creek Scenic Area, Caney Creek Trail, and Hensel Park, between March 2020 and March 2024. The observations suggest that Hypoxylon fuscum is a common species in the region, with a wide range of substrates and habitats.
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