Sphaeria subiculata is a species of fungus in the family Xylariaceae, order Xylariales, class Sordariomycetes, phylum Ascomycota. It is characterized by its effused to pulvinate stromata, typically 1-5 cm in diameter, with a smooth to slightly wrinkled surface, and perithecia that are fully or partially immersed in the stroma. In East and Central Texas, Sphaeria subiculata has been found on decaying wood, particularly on hardwoods such as oak and maple, in wooded areas and along streams. The fungus typically fruits in the spring and summer months, producing ascospores that are dark brown to black, unicellular, and ellipsoidal to fusoid in shape.
Black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Hypoxylon subiculatum, Rosellinia subiculata)(?) (Xylariaceae) under a fallen hardwood tree on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, December 7, 2019
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Yellow plasmodium of a slime mold on black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata(?) under a fallen hardwood tree on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, December 7, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Close up of black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) under a fallen hardwood tree on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, December 7, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) (Xylariaceae) under a fallen hardwood tree in a wet place on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, December 7, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) (Xylariaceae) on underside surface of a fallen hardwood tree on Winters Bayou Trail in Sam Houston National Forest. Cleveland, Texas, December 7, 2019Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cleveland, TX 77328, USA
Black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) on a log of a broadleaf tree on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Close-up of black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) on a log of a broadleaf tree on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Black fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) on whitish spots on a log of a broadleaf tree on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Whitish wood with black fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) on a log of a broadleaf tree on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Black fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) on wood of a broadleaf tree on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Texture of black corticioid fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) on wood of a broadleaf tree on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Black fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) covering a stump of a broadleaf tree on South Wilderness Loop Trail at Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023Little Lake Creek Loop Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, 77873, United States
Tissues at low magnification of black fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) collected on South Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023
Tissues and spores at low magnification of a black ball of fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) collected on South Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023
Spores of a black ball of fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) collected on South Wilderness Loop Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Richards. Texas, January 14, 2023
Black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) (Xylariaceae) on hardwood in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Close-up of black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) (Xylariaceae) on hardwood in Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary. Cleveland, Texas, March 25, 2023San Jacinto County, Texas, United States
Black crust fungus Sphaeria subiculata (Rosellinia subiculata)(?) under a fallen hardwood tree in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, December 20, 2023Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United StatesObservations of the fungus Sphaeria subiculata in East and Central Texas show that it grows on fallen hardwood trees, logs, and stumps in wet areas. It was found in Sam Houston National Forest, Little Lake Creek Wilderness, and Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, as well as Lick Creek Park. The fungus appears as a black crust or patch on the wood surface, sometimes with a yellow plasmodium of a slime mold present. Close-up observations reveal a textured, corticioid appearance. The fungus was also found on whitish spots on logs and covering stumps. Microscopic examination of collected samples showed tissues and spores at low magnification. The fungus was observed in various locations over several years, from 2019 to 2023, indicating its presence in the region is consistent.
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