Golden Coral Fungus

(Ramaria aurea)

Conservation Status

 

No Image Available

 
  IUCN Red List

not listed

 
  NatureServe

NNR - Unranked

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
           
 
Description
 
 

Golden Coral Fungus is a medium-sized, coral-like fungus. It is common in Europe and eastern North America. In the United States it occurs from Maine to Minnesota, south to Alabama, and in California, Washington, and Utah. It obtains its nutrients from decaying wood (saprobic). It is found in deciduous and mixed forests, alone or in groups, on the ground under hardwoods.

The fruiting body is 2¾ to 6 (7 to 15 cm) tall, 4 to 6 (10 to 15 cm) wide, and profusely branched above short, thick stalk. The stalks are sometimes fused into a thick, fleshy base. The branches are coral-like, smooth, and mostly erect. They are never ribbon-like. When young they are golden yellow or whitish with bright yellow tips. As they age they fade to dull brown. Spores are produced by cells (basidia) lining the outer surface of the upright branches.

The flesh is fibrous and brittle, never gelatinous. It does not change color when bruised or cut. Eating is not recommended due possible confusion with several species that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The spore print is orangish-yellow.

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
     
     
 
Habitat and Hosts
 
 

Deciduous and mixed woodlands. Hardwoods.

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Season

 
 

Summer and fall

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

4, 26, 29, 30, 77.

 
  2/2/2023      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

 

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Kingdom Fungi (fungi)  
  Subkingdom Dikarya  
  Division Basidiomycota (club fungi)  
  Subdivision Agaricomycotina (jelly fungi, yeasts, and mushrooms)  
  Class Agaricomycetes (mushrooms, bracket fungi, puffballs, and allies)  
  Subclass Phallomycetidae  
  Order Gomphales  
  Family Gomphaceae  
  Genus Ramaria (coral fungi)  
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

Clavaria aurea

Ramaria flavobrunnescens

 
       
 

Common Names

 
  Golden Coral Fungus  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Saprobic

A term often used for saprotrophic fungi. Referring to fungi that obtain their nutrients from decayed organic matter.

 
 
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Slideshows
 
Ramaria aurea (Schaeff.:Fr.) Quel.
Amadej Trnkoczy
  Ramaria aurea  

 

slideshow

       
 
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Other Videos
 
     
     
     

 

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Created: 10/4/2019

Last Updated:

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