The Candlesnuff Fungus

This small fungal beauty is the Candlesnuff Fungus Xylaria hypoxylon.


As to its common name, the excellent website www.first-nature.com has this to say:-

"While physically it seems to suggest a relevant physical comparison, the common name Candlesnuff Fungus is something of an enigma. It suggests something that once emitted light but no longer does so; however, in reality it is a bioluminescent fungus, and in a really dark place it can be seen to emit light continually as phosphorus accumulated within the mycelium reacts with oxygen and other chemicals in the fungus. Unfortunately the amount of light from this and most other bioluminescent fungi is very weak indeed, and to see it clearly you need either an image intensifier (such as those built in to night sights used by soldiers and spies) or to take a long-exposure photograph in a totally dark room."

The generic name Xylaria is from the Greek Xylon meaning wood. The specific epiphet hypoxyon is derived from the Greek words for under and wood and refers to the fact that the fungus makes its living by breaking down dead wood.