Bulgaria inquinans

Black bulgar fungus

Maturing fruit bodies on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Unfurling fruit bodies on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Unfurling fruit bodies adjacent to a matured fruit body on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Unfurling fruit bodies adjacent to a matured fruit body on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Mature fruit bodies along an oak stem in the New Forest, UK.
Over-mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.
Mature fruit bodies along an oak stem in the New Forest, UK.
Mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.
Over-mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.
Over-mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.

Maturing fruit bodies on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Unfurling fruit bodies on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Unfurling fruit bodies adjacent to a matured fruit body on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Unfurling fruit bodies adjacent to a matured fruit body on oak in the New Forest, UK.
Mature fruit bodies along an oak stem in the New Forest, UK.
Over-mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.
Mature fruit bodies along an oak stem in the New Forest, UK.
Mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.
Over-mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.
Over-mature fruit bodies an oak in the New Forest, UK.

Common name

Black bulgar fungus

Often found on

Other broadleaved species such as beech.

Sometimes found on

Found fruiting across the entire structure of the tree including fallen trees and tree part

Location

Found at and around the base of the tree – often away from the stem. Also found on (shadow) stumps.

Description

Annual . Jelly-like. Begins as a small brownish curled disk before unfolding in to a small to medium-sized black disk sometimes with an aberrant form.

Confused with

Exidia glandulosa (irregular shape - usually not circular).

Significance

Associated with dead parts of the tree. Often fruits in the year(s) following death - likely endophytic, therefore. Attributed to a soft rot of the wood substrate.