Hickory Candlesnuff Fungus

Behavior

It has received attention from mycologists for many years, including pioneering 19 th century work by the Tulasne brothers, but it has been unclear as to how and when the fungus colonizes seeds. In a recent research project, X. oxyacanthae was isolated from 2-3% of fruits removed from Crataegus monogynus trees, indicating that they were infected while still on the trees. Conidial stromata formed from decayed fruit under flowering trees, suggesting the possibility that flowers are infected by conidia.