Is this Dead Man's Fingers ?

[godders]

Saw these at the Ashridge Estate, Bucks on saturday, they were growing on a mossy log, beech trees were around, not sure of the rotting log though.

Are they Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) ? thanks for any help, Nick

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi Nick,

Pretty sure it is - (though it would have been good to have a shot showing the full length of the fruitbodies including stipes - to be able to judge the proportions).

X.polymorpha is proportionally fatter, and overall more "substantial" looking than X.longipes. (And the spore sizes are quite different too).

Regards,
Mike.