Candlesnuff fungus

Description:

Wiry stems reaching about 3" out of moss are black up to the branching tips which are white with spores. It's easy to see how they got the common name, looking like a candle wick that's just been blown out. These particular ones had longer laterally branching arms than I usually see.

Habitat:

Growing on buried wood, mixed old growth forest about 3 miles from the ocean, 500' elevation.

Notes:

Having such a slim profile, these will withstand winter rainstorms intact, and when few other fungi can be found, these will be there.