A small fungus found growing on rotting or manured straw.

Xylaria hypoxylon, commonly called either the Candle-snuff Fungus or the Stag's Horn Fungus, appears throughout the year, but it is particularly common during late autumn and winter.  This is one of the last fungi to attack rotting wood, and is often preceded by a succession of other species such as Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea) and Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare).

This is one of the most common of the waxcaps. The distinquishing feature is that the entire fungus slowly blackens with age, even after collecting.

Fruit body 1-4cms across. rubbery globose , the margins tightly inrolled when young, brownish, the exterior scurty, later expanding and then flattening with a smooth black disc. spores. kidney-shaped; colour dark sooty brown.