November 18, 2025

Candlesnuff fungus

Also called Stag’s horn, has appeared by the woven-willow fence on the West side of the Reserve. It is a saprotobe (feeding on organic matter), found on decaying wood where it decomposes the complex sugars, helping to compost the host.


The fungus, particularly the mycelium, is bioluminescent, phosphorescing with a very faint greenish glow.



Here, following rain, the water droplets on the ‘wicks’ are almost spherical suggesting superhydrophobicity, perhaps due to a nano-structured hairy and/or waxy surface.


Further images and information 


First Nature - Candlesnuff fungus


Woodland Trust - Candlesnuff fungus

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