About this fungus
Crown-tipped Coral Fungus is a fungus in the Auriscalpiaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A pale upright coral fungus on rotting hardwood, with repeatedly branched antler-like clusters whose tips end in tiny crown-shaped rings of points.
What to check
Use a hand lens to confirm that each mature branch tip forms a small cup surrounded by several points. Confirm direct growth from dead hardwood rather than soil. Coral fungi have no conventional cap, gills, ring or volva.
Lookalikes
Many coral fungi end in simple tapered points rather than crowns and often grow from soil. Other Artomyces can be similar, so substrate, region and microscopic characters may be needed where crown tips are poorly developed.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic on well-rotted hardwood logs and stumps. It is best known across temperate North America, northern and eastern Europe and parts of Asia, but abundance and conservation status vary greatly by region.
Food safety
Edibility is uncertain or disputed.