Geoglossum sp. (genus) (Earth tongue)

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal;">The fruit bodies of <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Geoglossum</em> are black stalks that grow on soil (occasionally on rotten wood). The stalks have a fleshy to rubbery consistency and are broader in the upper part. The broadening may be gradual or sudden,&nbsp;may be long or short in relation to the whole fruit body length and may be only a little wider than the lower part of the fruit body or considerably wider. Identification to species relies on microscopic features.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; line-height: normal;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Look-alikes</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The fruit bodies of&nbsp; <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoglossum</em> and <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thuemenidium</em> resemble those of <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Geoglossum</em>. Those of <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Geoglossum</em> are smooth whereas those of <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trichoglossum</em> have an abundance of short, dark bristles</p>