Crown-tipped Coral - Species Profile
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List
not listed
NatureServe
NNR - Unranked
Minnesota
not listed
Description
Crown-tipped Coral is a very common and widespread coral fungus in eastern North America. It is saprobic, obtaining nutrients from rotting wood. It grows alone or in groups on dead, well rotted wood of hardwoods, especially aspen, willow, maple, and cottonwood.
The fruiting body is repeatedly branched, 2″ to 4¾″ high, and ¾″ to 3″ wide. Numerous branches rise from a common base, and these branches are again branched in tiers from their broadened tip. Secondary branches emerge at right angles from primary branches, giving the fungus the appearance of a candelabra. Spores are produced by cells (basidia) lining the outer surface of the upright branches.
The base or “trunk” is ⅜″ to 1¼″ long, less than ⅜″ thick, and colored similar to the branches.
The branches are 1 ⁄32″ to 3 ⁄16″thick and pale whitish to pale yellow at first, becoming pale tan to grayish-brown or pinkish as they age. The ultimate tip of each branch is a crown-like fringed cup with 3 to 6 points. Occasionally the tips will be brown.
The flesh is tough and pliable, not brittle. It is edible but tough and stringy.
Similar Species
Habitat and Hosts
Dead wood of hardwoods, especially aspen, willow, maple, and cottonwood
Ecology
Season
Spring through fall
Distribution
Sources
Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu. Accessed 9/23/2026).
Artomyces pyxidatus (Pers.) Jülich in Bánki, O., Roskov, Y., Döring, M., Ower, G., Hernández Robles, D. R., Plata Corredor, C. A., Stjernegaard Jeppesen, T., Örn, A., Pape, T., Hobern, D., Garnett, S., Little, H., DeWalt, R. E., Miller, J., Orrell, T., Aalbu, R., Abbott, J., Abreu, C., Acero P, A., et al. (2026). Catalogue of Life (2026-08-26 XR). Catalogue of Life Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.48580/dgyy9
Mycology Collections Portal (MyCoPortal) https://www.mycoportal.org/portal/collections/index.php). Accessed 9/23/2026.
Occurrence
Common and widespread
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Fungi (Fungi)
Subkingdom
Dikarya
Phylum
Basidiomycota (Basidiomycete Fungi)
Subphylum
Agaricomycotina (Higher Basidiomycetes)
Class
Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms, Bracket Fungi, Puffballs, and Allies)
Subclass
Incertae sedis
Order
Russulales
Family
Auriscalpiaceae
Genus
Artomyces
Genus
This fungus was formerly classified as Clavicorona pyxidata. In 1981, W. Jülich suggested that this it should be placed in a separate genus based on morphological features. Subsequent DNA analysis supported his conclusion, and in 1982 it was moved with several other species into the new genus Artomyces.
Subordinate Taxa
Synonyms
Artomyces pyxidatus f. luteovirescens
Calocera digitata
Clavaria coronata
Clavaria petersii
Clavaria pyxidata
Clavaria pyxidata var. asperospora
Clavicorona coronata
Clavicorona pyxidata
Clavicorona pyxidata var. asperospora
Merisma pyxidatum
Ramaria pyxidata
Common Names
Crown Coral
Crown-tipped Coral
