Xylaria longipes

Morphological Features:

Carpophore composed of black, elongated, and clearly stipitate stromata. Its height can easily exceed 5 cm, being broader in the fertile upper region, which is generally club-shaped, although sometimes more irregular. The external surface transitions from granular to wrinkled and cracked with maturation, partially revealing the internal flesh whose color contrasts markedly.

Hymenium located on the external surface of the upper region of the ascocarp, initially granular due to the perithecia, never smooth, with a tendency to crack. It produces olive-brown ellipsoid ascospores.

Stipe generally elongated, a significant feature that gives the species its name. It is sterile and clearly delimited from the fertile upper region. It has a very dark color, similar to the rest of the carpophore, with a very black base that is markedly tomentose.

Flesh whitish in color, contrasting completely with the blackish external surface. It lacks an appreciable odor and its taste is also insignificant.

Habitat:

This species is characterized by its preferred habitat on maple wood, being eminently lignicolous. Specimens have been found in February, although they can appear in their teleomorphic form from autumn onwards. The conidial, imperfect, or anamorphic form is more common during spring, and it is commonly referred to by any of these three terms. The collected specimens were found in a mixed forest with several tree species, mainly alders, but also some maples. It is much less frequent than other congeners.

Observations:

This Xylaria is characterized by the presence of a well-delimited stipe and the tendency of its external surface to wrinkle or crack. In spring, a conidial form emerges that lacks such a clearly delimited stipe and tapers progressively towards the apex, resembling a stag's horn, covered by conidia that impart a grayish color. Xylaria polymorpha, due to its multiple forms, can also appear slender and be confused with this species, but it lacks a well-delimited stipe and its surface never wrinkles. The teleomorphic form of Xylaria hypoxylon is distinguished by possessing ostioles that protrude markedly from the surface.