Ramaria formosa
Encyclopedia
Ramaria formosa, commonly known as the beautiful clavaria, handsome clavaria, yellow-tipped- or pink coral fungus, is a coral fungus found in Europe and North America. It is widely held to be mildly poisonous if consumed, giving rise to acute gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and colicky pain. It is a pinkish, much-branched coral-shape reaching some 20 cm (8 in) high. Some forms collected in North America often lack the bitter taste common to European specimens and may represent a different species.
in 1797 as Clavaria formosa before being placed in its current genus
by French mycologist Lucien Quélet
in 1888. The generic name is derived from Latin
rāmus 'branch', while the specific epithet comes from the Latin
formōsus 'beautiful'. There is some confusion over its classification as there is evidence the binomial name as been applied loosely to any coral fungus fitting the description, and thus some collections from North America may be a different species. Common name
s include beautiful clavaria, handsome clavaria, yellow-tipped- or pink coral fungus.
and is found in Europe, and North America. Forms from the western areas are known to occur under conifers.
Taxonomy
It was initially described by Christian Hendrik PersoonChristian Hendrik Persoon
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon was a mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus' mushroom taxonomy.-Early life:...
in 1797 as Clavaria formosa before being placed in its current genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
by French mycologist Lucien Quélet
Lucien Quélet
thumb|Lucien QuéletLucien Quélet was a French mycologist and naturalist who discovered several species and was the founder of the Société mycologique de France, a society devoted to mycological studies....
in 1888. The generic name is derived from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
rāmus 'branch', while the specific epithet comes from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
formōsus 'beautiful'. There is some confusion over its classification as there is evidence the binomial name as been applied loosely to any coral fungus fitting the description, and thus some collections from North America may be a different species. Common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s include beautiful clavaria, handsome clavaria, yellow-tipped- or pink coral fungus.
Description
The fruiting body of Ramaria formosa grows to a height of 20 cm (8 in); it is a many-branched coral-like structure, the yellow tipped pinkish branches arising from a thick base. Terminal branches are less than 0.5 cm in diameter. The flesh is white, an important feature as edible members of the genus have yellowish flesh. Old specimens may fade so the original colour is hard to distinguish. The spore print is yellow. The smell is unpleasant and taste bitter. However, the taste has been reported as indistinct in North America.Distribution and habitat
Fruiting in autumn, Ramaria formosa is associated with beechBeech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
and is found in Europe, and North America. Forms from the western areas are known to occur under conifers.