Small sessile fruiting bodies, up to 2cm high, growing singly or in small clusters on wood; spindle shaped or cylindrical.   The outer surface layer of young specimens is creamy or pale-grey, which splits longitudinally to expose the darker layer underneath, creating a striped appearance.  Eventually the outer layer wears away. 

other species of Xylaria may look similar if young/depauperate, but the longitudinal strips of cream/grey are distinctive

Photograph in habitat, and close-up of surface idetail, note host plant species.   This is rarely recorded in the UK, and we recommend that your record is verified by an expert before submission to NatureSpot

Rarely recorded in the UK, possibly overlooked? (ref:  Fungi of Great Britain and Ireland (fungi.myspecies.info)

Rare - the 2024 record is thought to be the first from VC55

See account on Fungi of Great Britain and Ireland 

See Henrici, A (2016) Xylaria cinerea and X. crozonensis: two distinct additions to the British mycota.  Field Mycology 17 7-11 (available to download on Science Direct)