Biscogniauxia nummularia

Biscogniauxia nummularia is a plant pathogen in the family Graphostromataceae, known as the beech tarcrust. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin "nummus" meaning a coin, referring to the often rounded and coin-like encrustations.

Description

The fruit body forms a thick and shiny black crust, on beech bark and is found at all times of the year. It is not edible. Young specimens are covered by a light brown outer layer. The spores are black to dark brown.

Distribution

Biscogniauxia nummularia is a common pathogen specific for Beech trees, and has been recorded throughout Europe and Russia.

Environmental impact

The decline of European beech in Sicily and Calabria has been linked to B. nummularia and experiments have suggested that this ascomycete plays a primary pathogenic role under certain environmental conditions. It typically causes strip-cankering and general wood decay.