Ramaria botrytis
I almost missed this mushroom when I passed it by. But on closer examination there were several, some large, clumps of it in the immediate vicinity. Look closely at the second photo for an illustration of this. I found it on the upper part of my forest under mixed hardwoods in heavy leaf mulch. It is a coral mushroom with a white base. The flesh is white and non-bruising. The smell is very faint mushroomy. It is said to be edible but I have not tried it since there are reports of intestinal upset.
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Ramaria botrytis
Type: Clubs and CoralsCollection date: 09/12/2008
Name: Ramaria botrytis
Common Name: Clavaire chou-fleur, Hahnenkamm, Rosso Coral
Description: I almost missed this mushroom since it blended in so well with the leaves. It is a coral fungus brown with faint reddish tips. The base and flesh are white non-bruising. The smell is of faint mushroom.
Edibility: Edible with caution
Color: Tan
Size: Over 15cm
Cap type: Coral many branched
Gills:
Stem type: Lateral, rudimentary, absent
Flesh: Flesh white non-discoloring
Texture:
Veil:
Ring:
Volva:
Mycelium:
Spore color: White,cream,yellowish
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground
Habitat3:
Field Notes
Note: 09/18/2008 Still fruiting in a wider area now. : 88-53°F : dryNote: 09/22/2008 The patch of this mushroom continues to grow. There is an area about 20 x 40 feet with at least one mushroom in every 3x3 foot patch. : 55-82°F : Dry
Note: 09/23/2008 Patch still expanding : 57-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/25/2008 No new ones today, maybe spread has stopped : 55-85°F : Dry
Note: 09/27/2008 Patch is drying up. : 57-80°F : Dry
Ramaria formosa
This delicate looking little mushroom occurs fairly widespread throughout the woods. Seldom are there more than two or three together, usually only one. Often they are just peaking up through the leaves.
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Ramaria formosa
Type: Clubs and CoralsCollection date: 08/07/2008
Name: Ramaria formosa
Common Name:
Description: Grows in the woods on the ground flesh is firm.
Edibility: Inedible
Color: White to Cream
Size: 5 to 15cm
Cap type: Coral many branched
Gills: No Gills
Stem type: Lateral, rudimentary
Flesh: white
Texture: Flesh fibrous
Veil: none
Ring: none
Volva: none
Mycelium:
Spore color: White,cream,yellowish
Habitat: Grows in woods
Habitat2: Grows on the ground
Habitat3: humus Oak