Where’s Wildlife · Mushroom Field Guide
Xylaria polymorpha group
Pronounced (approx.): zy-LAIR-ee-uh pol-ee-MOR-fuh
Finger-like clubs change from pale young growth to darker mature forms.
Dead Man’s Fingers. Select the photo to browse the gallery. Photographs © Where’s Wildlife.
NORTH AMERICAN GROUP
Fruiting varies with local weather and habitat.
Stout, finger-like clubs
Pale young tips or dark mature surfaces
Associated with decaying or buried wood
Compare form, texture and growing surfaces in the photographs below.
These photographs support the Dead Man’s Fingers group. The pale pair represents a younger-looking form; the other set shows darker clubs.
Several large Xylaria species resemble one another. Xylaria polymorpha group is used here without claiming a microscopic species confirmation.
Decaying hardwood stumps, roots and logs. Visible from spring into fall.
Young surfaces can be coated in pale asexual spores; mature surfaces darken and develop tiny spore-producing chambers.
Stout, finger-like clubs.
Associated with decaying or buried wood.
The label follows the identification level stated above.
These photographs were taken in Illinois or Wisconsin; the exact location of each image is unconfirmed. The observation map provides wider context.
Explore reported sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.
Photographs © Where’s Wildlife.
Identification notes & comments
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