Geograph - photograph every grid square

A small tree stump covered in moss and with fungus growing out of it. The fungus is Xylaria hypoxylon, the Candlesnuff Fungus. The woodland trust says "This fungus has medicinal properties; it is both anti-viral and active against tumours." Link

Later the fruiting bodies will turn black, hence another common name for it, the Carbon Staghorn (almost any fungus with a branching habit attracts some sort of staghorn name). I imagine the name Candlesnuff refers to the similarity to the plumes of smoke from an extinguished candle wick, rather than any of the mechanisms ever designed for putting out the flame.

From Middle to Late #Autumn this fungus is common in Bourne Woods, although there is wide variation in the date the fruiting bodies erupt. It is widespread in UK woodland, where hardwoods are managed. It particularly likes hardwoods, and growing through mosses.