Xylaria polymorpha (Pers. ex M-rat) Greville. Dead Man-s Fingers, Xilaire polymorphe, Vielgestaltige Holzkeule, Bunk-s agancsgomba, Houtknotszwam. Fruit body 3-8cm high, 1-3cm wide, irregularly club-shaped passing into a short cylindrical stalk below, black with a finely wrinkled or roughened surface. Flesh tough, white; the section shows the distinctive pattern of the spore-producing cavities, the perithecia, just below the surface crust. Asci 200 x 10um. Spores blackish, fusiform, 20-32 x 5-9um. Habitat in groups on stumps, usually beech. Season all year. Common. Not edible. Distribution, America and Europe. The two super latest shots were sent to me by David Tuckett. Thanks David.