Clavariadelphus pistillaris

Clavariadelphus pistillaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Gomphales
Family:	Clavariadelphaceae
Genus:	Clavariadelphus
Species:	C. pistillaris
Binomial name
Clavariadelphus pistillaris (L.) Donk (1933)
Synonyms
Clavaria pistillarisL.

Clavariadelphus pistillaris
Mycological characteristics
	Smooth hymenium
	No distinct cap
	Hymenium attachment is not applicable
	Stipe is bare
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is mycorrhizal
	Edibility is edible or edible, but unpalatable

Clavariadelphus pistillaris, commonly known as the common club coral, ^[1] is a rare species of mushroom of the family Gomphaceae native to Europe and North America.

Taxonomy

The western North American variety is known as C. occidentalis. ^[2]

Description

The mat and wrinkled fruiting body has the shape of a club with a rounded top. Its length varies between 6 and 30 centimetres (2+1⁄2 and 12 in) and its width between 0.8 and 6 cm (1⁄4 and 2+1⁄4 in). ^[1] The skin is red brown to ocher red, sometimes cinnamon brown with a lilac tint, turning brown when damaged. The spongy flesh is white. The spore print is pale yellow. ^[3] It has a weak, but pleasant scent. ^[4]

Similar species

Through its appearance it could be mistaken for C. truncatus , a species found in coniferous montane forests. C. subfastigiatus is also similar. ^[1]

Habitat and distribution

Native to Europe and North America, ^[5] the rare species grows during summer and autumn, almost exclusively in beech forest on calcareous soil on litter and woodchips. ^[4]

Uses

The species is recorded as being edible. ^[6] There have been reports of the mushroom being a "nutraceutical and/or functional food" ^[7] due to its high antioxidant activity and containing essential fatty acids. ^[8]

According to one field guide, the americana variety of the species usually does not have enough flesh to make it worthwhile to eat. ^[9]

References

1. Arora, David (1986) [1979]. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi (2nd ed.). Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. pp. 632–33. ISBN   978-0-89815-170-1.
2. Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 239. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
3. Stevens, Michael Wood & Fred. "California Fungi: Clavariadelphus occidentalis". www.mykoweb.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
4. "Common club coral fungus (Clavariadelphus pistillaris)". PictureThis. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
5. "Clavariadelphus pistillaris, Giant Club fungus, identification". www.first-nature.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
6. Phillips, Roger (2010). Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. p. 345. ISBN   978-1-55407-651-2.
7. Pereira, Eliana; Barros, Lillian; Martins, Anabela; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R (Jan 15, 2012). “Towards chemical and nutritional inventory of Portuguese wild edible mushrooms in different habitats”. Food Chemistry. 130(2): 394-403. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.07.057.
8. Dimitrijevic, Marija V.; Mitic, Violeta D.; Nikolic, Jelena S.; Djordjevic, Aleksandra S.; Mutic, Jelena J.; Jovanovic, Vesna P. Stankov; Stojanovic, Gordana S. (Nov 20, 2018). "First Report about Mineral Content, Fatty Acids Composition and Biological Activities of Four Wild Edible Mushrooms". Chemistry & Biodiversity.16(2): e1800492. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201800492.
9. Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p. 343. ISBN   978-0-7627-3109-1.

Further reading

• Lohmeyer, Till R.; Künkele, Ute; Ditter-Hilkens, Inna (2006). Mushrooms. Bath, UK: Parragon Books. ISBN   978-1-4054-6399-7.
• Keizer, G. J. (1997). Paddenstoelen encyclopedie (in Dutch). Lisse: R & B. ISBN   978-90-396-0239-3.