Typhula fistulosa

Morphological Features:

Fruitbody hollow, with a highly variable shape giving rise to several varieties, although its typical appearance is that of an elongated and slender club. In this state, it can reach up to 20 cm in length; however, it is narrow, and at its upper region (the widest part), it barely reaches a thickness of half a centimeter. It is light ochre in color, sometimes with a yellowish tint, with the base somewhat darker, although the mycelial attachment is whitish. The apex is generally rounded or obtuse, although forms exist that are even forked (f. brachiata), and others more irregular (f. contorta), currently recognized as a distinct taxon as Typhula contorta.

Hymenium smooth and concolorous, perhaps slightly pruinose, immersed in the external surface of the fruitbody, occupying practically the upper two-thirds, with the basal zone being sterile.

Stipe absent as such, although it is true that the region near the base is sterile and somewhat darker in color than the rest. Furthermore, this region is also narrower, given that the fruitbody gradually tapers from the apex towards the base.

Flesh of little significance given that it is hollow, yellowish-ochre in color. The fruitbodies of this fungus are rigid when young, but soften with age. Neither its odor nor its taste are noteworthy.

Habitat:

Fruiting on wood, fallen branches, or woody debris of various broad-leaved trees. We have photographed it on woody debris of Quercus petraea in October, fruiting gregariously. It is not a particularly common species.

Observations:

Species characterized by its lignicolous fruiting habit, considerable height, and peculiar shape. Macrotyphula juncea is similar, but of much smaller size, and lacks this lignicolous habit, fruiting on leaves instead. It could be confused with Clavariadelphus pistillaris due to its shape, but the latter is much thicker and has bitter flesh.