Carbon antlers

 

The title, carbon antlers, is easy to misread as caribou antlers. Yet, they are not real antlers, but a fungus, Xylaria hypoxylon, that grows on decaying wood. The common names, carbon antlers, stag’s antlers and candlestick fungus, come from the fruiting portion, which extends above the ground often in branched columns redolent of antlers or candlesticks.

Carbon antlers grow amongst moss. Although they don’t look carbon black now, they will turn so at a later stage.

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3 Responses to Carbon antlers

  1. Cynthia says:

    Beautiful. How tall are they?

  2. Pamella says:

    Striking. Another fungus to stalk. Thanks.

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