Coral fungi

Group of fungi

Coral fungi, more properly clavaroid fungi, are a group of mushrooms. They are usually shaped like coral, but can also be shaped like forks, worms or clubs. They are rubbery and at times are brightly coloured.

A yellow coral fungus
Clavaria zollingeri

Originally, such fungi were put in the genus Clavaria, and called "clavarioid", which means Clavaria-like. It is now known that clavarioid species are not all closely related. Since they are often studied as a group, we keep the informal (non-taxonomic) name of "clavarioid fungi", which is frequently used in research papers.

Habitat

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Most clavaria fungi grow on the ground, but some grow on well-decayed logs and stumps. They are usually found in forests but some can also be found in fields. Like all mushrooms, they are decomposers.

Eating

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Although they are not poisonous, some kinds are a laxative and some can cause stomach pain.

Sources

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Corner E.J.H. 1950. A monograph of Clavaria and allied genera. Cambridge: University Press.