Small Stagshorn

not listed

not listed

not listed

Small Stagshorn is a small, common and widespread jelly fingus. It occurs on every continent except Antarctica. In the United States it occurs east of the Great Plains and west of the Rocky Mountains. It fruits from spring through fall but mostly August through November, usually after a heavy rain. It is saprobic, obtaining its nutrients from decaying wood. It is found on barkless stumps, fallen logs, twigs, and branches of dead hardwood trees (especially oaks) and occasionally also of conifers. It grows in groups or clusters and is often seen in rows growing out of cracks in the wood. It is easily overlooked due to its very small size and occurrence in damp shady places.

The fruiting body is a cylinder-shaped, 1 ⁄16″ to ¾″ tall, 1 ⁄32″ to ⅛″ in diameter, straight or curved spike. It usually occurs as an upright, pointed spike, but is often forked, like a pair of curved horns. It is rarely forked at the tip. It is yellow to orangish-yellow when moist, becoming more orange in drier conditions. The texture is rubbery, gelatinous but firm.

The spore print is white or pale yellow.

It is considered to be inedible due to its small size and gelatinous texture.

Sstumps, fallen logs, twigs, and branches

Hardwoods and occasionally conifers

Spring through fall but mostly August through November

Sources

4, 24, 26, 29, 30, 77.

Common and widespread

Location: St. Louis County, Burntside Lake, Listening Point