Bioluminescent Species

Day 340: When I first encountered Xylaria hypoxylon (Carbon Antlers) in a wildlife conservation area a few years ago and was looking for information about the species, I discovered that it was bioluminescent. The conservation area was not one I cared to go traipsing about in the dark of night, I figured I'd never get to see the phenomenon for myself. However, last year, I found the same fungus growing on a hawthorn stump in my back yard and was overjoyed when I was able to stimulate a few tiny points of blue-white light by touching the tips with a twig. Once one of the "fairy lights" had been activated and had faded after a few seconds, it could not be induced to glow again. Only a few members of the colony were at the correct stage to produce bioluminescence, and my experiment concluded when they were exhausted. Then summer came and the Xylaria withered and disappeared. Now they are beginning to sprout on the stump again, and if conditions permit (temperature plays a role), I hope to be able to tease them into lighting up again.

Xylaria Hypoxylon, Carbon Antlers

Day 10: Right in my own back yard! None of my field guides mentioned the fact that Xylaria hypoxylon is a bioluminescent fungus. I only encountered the information by accident while searching the internet for other data on the species. Although the sky had begun to lighten, I thought it might still be possible to observe the phenomenon since they were growing on a rotting hawthorn stump in a dark corner of the yard. I ran out, grabbed a small stick en route to use as a probe, and tapped the tips of the horns gently. I was not disappointed. Tiny pinpoints of blue light appeared where I had disturbed them, fading after a few seconds. I will be repeating the experiment in full darkness, for sure! I have only observed bioluminescence once before, during a kayaking trip on Puget Sound, and that given off by algae was green as opposed to the blue of this fungus. Xylaria hypoxylon is known commonly as Carbon Antlers or Candlesnuff Fungus, and occurs only on rotting wood. What a thrill!

Xylaria Hypoxylon

Day 30: It's not hard to imagine how the common name "Carbon-antlers" became attached to Xylaria hypoxylon. This dainty fungus grows on rotting wood and can often be found sticking up through the layer of moss which quickly engulfs logs and limbs here in the damp Pacific Northwest. It is also reported to be very mildly bioluminescent (a fact I only recently learned and have yet to observe) due to its ability to collect phosphorus in its tissues. This characteristic gives rise to another common name, "Candlesnuff fungus." It has been hypothesized that the species' bioluminescence may be a product of lignin degradation, and by extension that the degree of "glow" may depend on the substrate species...and here we go again: oh, if only I had more years left to me! There are so many things within my tiny realm about which we know very little. It is my greatest hope that my writings, photos and body of work (small though it may be) will inspire some young scientist to look deeper into the mysteries of the natural world.