Synonyms: Cordyceps polymorpha, Cordylia polymorpha, Hypoxylon polymorphum, Sphaeria digitata, Sphaeria polymorpha, Sphaeria spathulata, Xylaria clavata, Xylaria corrugata, Xylaria rugosa, Xylosphaera polymorpha.
Common name: dead man's fingers.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Xylaria polymorpha, commonly known as dead man's fingers, is a saprobic fungus. It is a common inhabitant of forest and woodland areas, usually growing from the bases of rotting or injured tree stumps and decaying wood. It has also been known to colonize substrates like woody legume pods, petioles, and herbaceous stems. It is characterized by its elongated upright, clavate, or strap-like stromata poking up through the ground, much like fingers. The genus Xylaria contains about 100 species of cosmopolitan fungi. Polymorpha means "many forms". As its name suggests, it has a very variable but often club-shaped fruiting body (stroma) resembling burned wood.
Arabic: فطر أصابع الرجل الميت, Croatian: Mrtvačevi prsti, Dutch: Houtknotszwam, Estonian: Kobarsüsik, Finnish: Nuijasarvisieni, French: Xylaire polymorphe, German: Vielgestaltige Holzkeule, Hungarian: Bunkós agancsgomba, Lithuanian: Kislusis elniagrybis, Persian: انگشتان مرده, Polish: Próchnilec maczugowaty, Romanian: Degetele mortului, Serbian: Мртвачки прсти, Swedish: Tjockhorn.
Xylaria polymorpha is a species of fungus in the family Xylariaceae, characterized by its elongated, club-shaped fruiting bodies that range in color from black to dark brown. In East and Central Texas, it typically grows on decaying wood, especially hardwoods, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and along streams. The fungus is commonly encountered during the summer and fall months, particularly after heavy rainfall. Its distribution in the region is widespread, with records from numerous counties, including Travis, Hays, and Brazos.
Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) mushroom in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, October 20, 2013
23200 Park Road, Washington, TX 77880, USA
Finely wrinkled surface texture of fruitbody of Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) mushroom taken from Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Texas, October 20, 20131700 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Clublike fruitbody of Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) mushroom taken from Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Texas, October 20, 20131700 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Whitish flesh inside a clublike fruitbody of Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) mushroom taken from Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Texas, October 20, 20131700 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) mushroom growing from a base of stump on university golf course near Texas Avenue. College Station, Texas, October 21, 20131207 South Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) mushrooms growing near a tree stump on university golf course near Texas Avenue. College Station, Texas, October 30, 20131207 South Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Dead man's fingers mushrooms (Xylaria polymorpha) on a fallen oak in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, May 30, 2020Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USAObservations of Xylaria polymorpha in East and Central Texas reveal distinct characteristics. The fungus exhibits a finely wrinkled surface texture on its fruitbody, which is typically club-like in shape. Upon closer inspection, the flesh inside the fruitbody appears whitish. In terms of habitat, Dead Man's Fingers have been found growing from tree stumps, such as on a university golf course near Texas Avenue in College Station and on a fallen oak in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. The fungus has also been spotted in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, with multiple sightings occurring in October 2013, indicating a possible seasonal pattern. Additional sightings in May 2020 suggest the fungus may be present throughout the year.
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