-Fungi Including Lichens ( Kingdom Fungi)

-Ascomycete Fungi (Phylum Ascomycota)

Higher Ascomycetes (Subphylum Pezizomycotina)

-Class Sordariomycetes

-Subclass (Xylariomycetidae)

-Order Xylariales

-Family Xylariaceae

-Genus Xylaria

-Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)

A fungus that feeds on dead organic matter, like rotting wood. The fungus is popularly called dead man’s fingers, because its fruiting body looks a lot like a dead hand emerging from the soil.