Yellow-tipped Coral Fungus (Ramaria formosa (Pers.) Quél.)

Yellow-tipped Coral Fungus (Ramaria formosa (Pers.) Quél.)

In the forest understory during autumn months, the Yellow-tipped Coral Fungus (Ramaria formosa) creates a striking display with its branching structure and distinctive coloration. This fascinating fungus belongs to a group known as coral fungi, named for their resemblance to marine coral formations. We’ve explored several coral fungi in previous posts.  They include Coral Tooth Fungus, Common Club Coral, Crown-tipped Coral, and Small Club Coral.

Physical Description

Ramaria formosa reaches heights of 2.8-7.9 inches (7-20 centimeters) and spreads 2.8-5.5 inches (7-14 centimeters) wide. The base varies from bright white to a light brown color, supporting multiple branches above. These branches showcase a pale salmon to peach coloration, while their tips display a contrasting yellow hue. The base structure ranges from slender and unbranched to broad and divided, sometimes featuring small, underdeveloped branches near the ground.

A distinctive characteristic of this fungus is how it changes color when touched – touching the surface causes it to develop brownish tones. When first emerging, the fungus displays yellow coloring at its branch tips. A cross-section of these young specimens reveals their salmon-colored interior. As the fungus matures, the yellow tips gradually blend into the branch color.

Habitat and Distribution

Ramaria formosa can be found in both hardwood and coniferous forests. It appears during autumn months, emerging from the forest floor. The species has been documented in the northern temperate zones of North America (Canada and USA) and Europe.

Distinguishing Features

Key characteristics of Ramaria formosa include:

• Branches showing peach to light red coloring with yellow tips
• Base varying from slender to broad
• Surface that develops brown tones when touched
• Base structure ranging from simple to branched 

If you found learning about Yellow-Tipped Coral Fungus interesting, check out our other Mushroom Monday posts on our TrueTreeTalk blog. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with these and other posts. Check out our list of blog posts grouped by topic for more to read.

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