Candlesnuff Fungus: Identification, Lookalikes, and Uses

In autumn, candlesnuff fungus show up on rotting hardwood stumps — you might see tiny black stalks with white powdery tips growing in dense clusters like a handful of spent matches. These are candlesnuff fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon), and they are very common in North America. These mushrooms aren’t edible; they’re too small and have no taste, but they are super fun to find. Like little antlers growing out of a rotten stump.