Lesser Staghorn Fungi

Xylaria hypoxylon 

The erect ascocarps are often twisted or bent, and typically sparsely branched, often in a shape resembling a stag's antlers. Specimens found earlier in the season, in spring, may be covered completely in asexual spores (conidia), which manifests itself as a white to grayish powdery deposit.

Later in the season, mature ascocarps are charcoal-black, and have minute pimple-like bumps called perithecia on the surface.

These are minute rounded spore bearing structures with tiny holes, or ostioles, for the release of sexual spores (ascospores).

Common & widespread in the Autumn around the British Countryside.