Photo Feature
Candlesnuff fungus
Candlesnuff fungus Xylaria hypoxylon exhibits a whitish hue in early spring when the juvenile fruiting body emerges. It then forms conidia (asexual spores), which cover the fruiting body (except the white tip) in a purplish-blue dust. This is referred to as the candlesnuff stage. In summer, the conidia flakes off leaving a blackish colour. In its mature state, it is saprobic and inedible.
Photo: Animish Mandrekar