The fruit body is a blackish layer on the surface of the host, causing any bark to peel back around it. The stroma is peppered by tiny ostioles for spore release and very commonly cracks as the fruit body ages. Internally, the stroma is a whitish cream colour.

Good field photos; state host/substrate

Fruits on decaying wood from deciduous trees, such as Beech, Hazel, Hawthorn, Silver Birch and Oak

Fruits throughout the year.