Xylaria

Xylaria is a genus of fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota. These fungi are characterized by their perithecia, which are saclike structures containing ascospores, and are often found on woody material. The genus comprises about 100 species found worldwide.12

A notable species is Xylaria polymorpha, which produces a club-shaped or finger-like fruiting body that resembles burned wood and commonly grows on decaying wood or injured trees. Xylaria is part of the family Xylariaceae, distinguished by dark brown to black ascospores. Ascomycetes, the group to which Xylaria belongs, include a vast diversity of fungi, some of which are plant pathogens, while others are saprotrophs that decompose dead organic matter.23