The Ascomycete Xylaria polymorpha, growing on a fallen branch of Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) that has lain on a damp woodland floor for several yea

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The Ascomycete Xylaria polymorpha, growing on a fallen branch of Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) that has lain on a damp woodland floor for several years. The finger-like structures growing out of the rotting wood are fruiting bodies (stromata) of X. polymorpha; its common name is Dead Man's Fingers. The \fingers\" here are about 4 cm long. Ascomycetes are the largest phylum within Fungi. They are characterised by the production of asci - club-shaped cells within which the spores develop. Familiar Ascomycetes include truffles and King Arthur's Cakes ( found on ash trees). X. polymorpha is a wood rot fungus of no culinary value. But it is one of a number of fungi that can give rise to spalting in wood - the appearance of zones of different colours separated by black borders. This effect is prized by wood-turners, since it produces beautiful patterns in turned objects such as wooden bowls."

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Size: 5212px × 3468px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: acer, ascomycete, ascus, dead, fingers, fungus, mans, polymorpha, pseudoplatanus, rot, spalted, spalting, spore, sycamore, wood, wood-turning, xylaria