28 February 2009 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Synonymns Hypoxylon multiforme Fruiting Body Cushion shaped, rounded to elongate,surface granular, reddish brown when young, soon dark brown then black with age, typically 20 to 30 mm across Smell Indistinct Taste Indistinct Season All year Distribution Common Habitat On dead wood from deciduous trees, favouring birch, but also hazel, alder, Prunus and Sorbus Spore Print Dark brown Microscopic Features Ascospores bean shaped, smooth (8.5-12) x (3.5-5.5) µm2. Asci 8 spored. Paraphyses thread like. Edibility Inedible |