I came across these little patch of candlesnuff fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) on a site and was taken by their habitat – this is usually a species which extends its ash-and-tar tendrils up from chunks of the fallen deadwood on which it feeds – it is described as a saphrobic fungus in reference to this fact. In this instance however, it appeared to be growing from the soil beside new-shoots of cleavers (Galium aparine).
The answer was simple of course – there is deadwood semi-buried where the fungal spores found the habitat they needed to develop. As always, nature cares little for appearances and all about conditions so this observation turned out to be quite unexceptional but nonetheless pleasing to explore!
Another Country Diary 