Candlesnuff Fungus

Candlesnuff Fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) is a saprophytic fungus that breaks down rotting wood, and is typically found in the Autumn and Winter. This growth of it was on some dead sticks that have been lying around in the garden for a few years and are now well decomposed.

The lichen, looking swollen after all the wet weather, is Collema auriforme, looking like a glob of green-black chewing gum someone left on the wall.