Biscogniauxia nummularia is a plant pathogen in the family Graphostromataceae, known as the beech tarcrust.[1] The specific epithet is derived from the Latin "nummus" meaning a coin, referring to the often rounded and coin-like encrustations.
| Biscogniauxia nummularia | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Sordariomycetes |
| Order: | Xylariales |
| Family: | Graphostromataceae |
| Genus: | Biscogniauxia |
| Species: | B. nummularia |
| Binomial name | |
| Biscogniauxia nummularia | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
The fruit body forms a thick and shiny black crust, on beech (Fagus) bark and is found at all times of the year. It is not edible.[1] Young specimens are covered by a light brown outer layer. The spores are black to dark brown.
Detail of the tarcrust's structure
Beech tarcrust growth
Encrustations on beech bark
Distribution
Biscogniauxia nummularia is a common pathogen specific for Beech trees, and has been recorded throughout Europe and Russia.[2]
Environmental impact
The decline of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Sicily and Calabria (Italy) has been linked to B. nummularia and experiments have suggested that this ascomycete plays a primary pathogenic role under certain environmental conditions.[3] It typically causes strip-cankering and general wood decay.[4]
References
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