Ramaria botrytis

[ Basidiomycetes > Phallales > Ramariaceae > Ramaria . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

One of the few relatively easily recognized species of Ramaria, this coral mushroom has a stout, whitish base and densely packed, short branches with pink tips. The overall impression, at least when Ramaria botrytis is young, is reminiscent of cauliflower. Older specimens can develop elongated branches more typical of the genus, and can be harder to identify.

Description:

Ecology: Mycorrhizal; growing alone, scattered, or in groups under hardwoods or conifers; summer and fall (also winter and spring in warm climates); widely distributed in North America.

Fruiting Body: 7-20 cm high; 6-30 cm wide; stocky; repeatedly short-branched.

Branches: Densely packed; basal branches thick, smooth, and whitish; terminal branches crowded, short, and pink to purplish or red; tips cauliflower-like, especially when young.

Base: 3-4 cm long; to 6 cm wide; whitish, developing yellowish or brownish colors.

Flesh: Whitish; firm.

Odor and Taste: Odor not distinctive; taste mild or bitter.

Spore Print: Yellowish.

Chemical Reactions: Iron salts green on branch tips.

Microscopic Features: Spores 11-20 x 4-6 µ (usually about 14-16 x 5 µ); subfusoid to stretched-elliptical; finely stippled; by maturity the ornamentation aggregated into very faint lines, creating a twisted-striate effect (best observed in a Melzer's mount). Basidia 4-sterigmate; clavate; 60-70 x 8-10 µ. Cystidia absent. Clamp connections present.

REFERENCES: (Persoon, 1797) Ricken, 1918. (Fries, 1821; Saccardo, 1888; Corner, 1950; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1981; Barnhart & Beug, 1981/2004; Arora, 1986; Lincoff, 1992; Metzler & Metzler, 1992; Barron, 1999; Roody, 2003; Exeter, 2006; Miller & Miller, 2006.) Herb. Kuo 09230601, 09150703.

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2007, April). Ramaria botrytis. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/ramaria_botrytis.html