Ramaria spp.

Scientific names:  Ramaria concolor (Corner) R. H.
Petersen; Ramaria stricta (Pers.) Quel..
Derivation of name: Ramus means "branch" and the
genus name refers to the repeatedly branched pattern of
growth. Stricta- means "straight" in reference to the nearly
vertical, parallel branches; concolor means"of the same
color" in reference to the uniform color of the branches.
Synonyms: Ramaria stricta var. concolor Corner,
Clavaria stricta Pers.
Common name(s):  Straight-branched coral
Phylum:   Ascomycota
Order:   Gomphales
Family:   Gomphaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; solitary or
clustered on decaying conifer or deciduous logs or wood
which may be buried; July through October. 
Dimensions: Up to 14 cm tall and 2-7 cm wide.    
Description: A compact mass of vertical, nearly
parallel, dichotomously forked branches. Branches are
buff to yellowish-buff to orange-buff to brownish. Branch
tips of R. stricta are yellowish when young whereas the
branch tips of R. concolor are the same color as the rest
of the branches. These fungi are described as having a
fragrant, anise-like odor and a bitter taste. The branches
bruise purplish-brown. White rhizomorphs penetrate into
the dead wood.       
Edibility:  Inedible.
Comments: Three common coral fungi fruit on wood, the
two Ramaria species described here and Artomyces
pyxidatus. I'm not convinced R. stricta and R. concolor
can be reliably differentiated in the field. The website below
mentions additional uncertainties. For the time being, it seems
adequate to recognize that the majority of Ramaria
species are terrestrial and only a small number are found on
wood. Related to this is the observation that terrestrial
Ramaria species are thought to be mycorrhizal.  

More information at MushroomExpert.com


Figure 1. Ramaria concolor. Photo © Larry Grand.

Figure 2. Ramaria stricta. Note the yellowish branch
tips. Photo © Larry Grand.

Figure 3. Ramaria stricta. Photo © David Work.