Clavulina cristata

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Clavulina cristata
Clavulina cristata sasata.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Cantharellales
Family: Clavulinaceae
Genus: Clavulina
Species:
C. cristata
Binomial name
Clavulina cristata
Synonyms
  • Clavulina coralloides (L.) J. Schröt. [1]
  • Clavaria coralloides L., 1753 [2]
  • Clavaria elegans Bolton 1789 [3]
Clavulina cristata
Information icon.svg
Smooth icon.pngSmooth hymenium
No cap icon.svgNo distinct cap
Bare stipe icon.svg Stipe is bare
Transparent spore print icon.svg
 Spore print is white
Saprotrophic fungus.svgMycorrhizal fungus.svgEcology is saprotrophic or mycorrhizal
Mycomorphbox Edible.pngEdibility is edible

Clavulina cristata, commonly known as the wrinkled coral fungus, [4] white coral fungus or the crested coral fungus, [5] is a white- or light-colored edible coral mushroom present in temperate areas of the Americas and Europe. It is the type species of the genus Clavulina .

Contents

Taxonomy

The commonly used species name cristata was coined in 1790 by Danish mycologist Theodor Holmskjold (as Ramaria cristata). However, Carl Linnaeus described apparently the same fungus as Clavaria coralloides in his Species Plantarum in 1753. [6] Therefore, according to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants , the name Clavulina coralloides should be used in preference to Clavulina cristata, [7] [8] although the latter name is in more common use.

Description

The fruit bodies, which are generally white- to cream-colored, can be up to 8 centimetres (3+1⁄8 in) tall, and 2.5–4 cm (1–1+5⁄8 in) broad. [9] The coral "arms" are sparingly branched (3–4 times), 2–4 mm wide, [10] smooth, and sometimes wrinkled longitudinally. The tips are cristate, having small pointed projections, and will often darken with age or in dry weather. [4] The stems vary in form and can be 5–40 mm (1⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) long and 5–20 mm wide. [9] The fruit bodies have no distinctive odor, and a mild taste. [10]

The fruit bodies may have a darker color either due to natural variation (whereby the appearance of this species may approach and be confused with C. cinerea ) or because of infection by a microscopic fungus, Helminthosphaeria clavariarum. [8]

Microscopic features

Spores Clavulina cristata spore.png
Spores

The spores are white, roughly spherical, thick-walled, non-amyloid, smooth, and have dimensions of 7–11 by 6–10  μm. [10] [11] Basidia are club-shaped, 60–80 by 6–8 μm, and 2-spored. [5] Cystidia are absent. Sterigmata, the slender projections of the basidium that bear the spores, may be straight or curved, and up to 7–8 μm long. [12] Microscopic and molecular analysis indicate that the species is related to chanterelles. [13]

Chemistry

In addition to the major fatty acid components, palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid, C. cristata contains two unusual fatty acids, cis-9, cis-14-octadecadien-12-ynoic acid, and the conjugated cis-9, trans-11, trans-13, cis-15-octadecatetraenoic acid (commonly known as α-parinaric acid). [14] C. cristata is the only fungi known to contain α-parinaric acid. [15]

Lookalikes

Some other coral fungi have macroscopic and microscopic features similar to C. cristata, making identification confusing. [13] Clavulina rugosa is unbranched or sparingly branched. [13] Clavulina cinerea is usually darker in color. [13] Ramaria stricta has parallel branches and grows on wood. Lentaria byssiseda is light brown with white tips. [9] Ramariopsis kunzei is often bright white and smooth, and Sebacina schweinitzii is very tough. [9]

Distribution and habitat

Clavulina cristata is found growing solitary or in clusters on the ground (sometimes on rotten wood) in both coniferous and hardwood forests in temperate areas of the Americas (October–March on the west coast of North America and July–October further inland) [9] and Europe. It is a common mushroom, and typically fruits from late summer to winter.

Uses

This fungus is edible, [16] [17] but the tough flesh and insubstantial fruit bodies make it unappetizing to some individuals. [11] It is considered excellent by some. [18] [19]

Related Research Articles

<i>Morchella esculenta</i> Species of fungus

Morchella esculenta is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota. It is one of the most readily recognized of all the edible mushrooms and highly sought after. Each fruit body begins as a tightly compressed, grayish sponge with lighter ridges, and expands to form a large yellowish sponge with large pits and ridges raised on a large white stem. The pitted yellow-brown caps measure 2–7 centimetres broad by 2–10 cm (1–4 in) tall, and are fused to the stem at its lower margin, forming a continuous hollow. The pits are rounded and irregularly arranged. The hollow stem is typically 2–9 cm long by 2–5 cm (1–2 in) thick, and white to yellow. The fungus fruits under hardwoods and conifers during a short period in the spring, depending on the weather, and is also associated with old orchards, woods and disturbed grounds.

<i>Hydnum repandum</i> Species of edible fungus of the family Hydnaceae distributed in Europe

Hydnum repandum, commonly known as the sweet tooth, pig's trotter, wood hedgehog or hedgehog mushroom, is a basidiomycete fungus of the family Hydnaceae. First described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, it is the type species of the genus Hydnum. The fungus produces fruit bodies (mushrooms) that are characterized by their spore-bearing structures—in the form of spines rather than gills—which hang down from the underside of the cap. The cap is dry, colored yellow to light orange to brown, and often develops an irregular shape, especially when it has grown closely crowded with adjacent fruit bodies. The mushroom tissue is white with a pleasant odor and a spicy or bitter taste. All parts of the mushroom stain orange with age or when bruised.

<i>Ramaria formosa</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria formosa, commonly known as the pinkish coral mushroom, salmon coral, beautiful clavaria, handsome clavaria, yellow-tipped- or pink coral fungus, is a coral fungus found in Europe. Similar forms collected in North America are considered to represent a different species.

<i>Clavulina</i> Genus of fungi

Clavulina is a genus of fungus in the family Clavulinaceae, in the Cantharelloid clade. Species are characterized by having extensively branched fruit bodies, white spore prints, and bisterigmate basidia. Branches are cylindrical or flattened, blunt, and pointed or crested at the apex, hyphae with or without clamps, basidia cylindrical to narrowly clavate, mostly with two sterigmata which are large and strongly incurved and spores subspherical or broadly ellipsoid, smooth, and thin-walled, each with one large oil drop or guttule. The genus contains approximately forty-five species with a worldwide distribution, primarily in tropical regions. Species of Clavulina are mostly ectomycorrhizal. A recent study has identified Clavulina to the genera level as present on Nothofagus menziesii adventitious roots

<i>Ramariopsis kunzei</i> Species of fungus

Ramariopsis kunzei is an edible species of coral fungi in the family Clavariaceae, and the type species of the genus Ramariopsis. It is commonly known as white coral because of the branched structure of the fruit bodies that resemble marine coral. The fruit bodies are up to 5 cm (2.0 in) tall by 4 cm (1.6 in) wide, with numerous branches originating from a short rudimentary stem. The branches are one to two millimeters thick, smooth, and white, sometimes with yellowish tips in age. Ramariopsis kunzei has a widespread distribution, and is found in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

<i>Ramaria botrytis</i> Species of coral fungus in the family Gomphaceae

Ramaria botrytis, commonly known as the clustered coral, the pink-tipped coral mushroom, or the cauliflower coral, is an edible species of coral fungus in the family Gomphaceae. Its robust fruit body can grow up to 15 cm (6 in) in diameter and 20 cm (8 in) tall, and resembles some marine coral. Its dense branches, which originate from a stout, massive base, are swollen at the tips and divided into several small branchlets. The branches are initially whitish but age to buff or tan, with tips that are pink to reddish. The flesh is thick and white. The spores, yellowish in deposit, are ellipsoid, feature longitudinal striations, and measure about 13.8 by 4.7 micrometers.

<i>Clavaria fragilis</i> Species of fungus

Clavaria fragilis, commonly known as fairy fingers, white worm coral, or white spindles, is a species of fungus in the family Clavariaceae. It is synonymous with Clavaria vermicularis. The fungus is the type species of the genus Clavaria and is a typical member of the clavarioid or club fungi. It produces tubular, unbranched, white basidiocarps that typically grow in clusters. The fruit bodies can reach dimensions of 15 cm (5.9 in) tall by 0.5 cm (0.2 in) thick. Clavaria fragilis is a saprobic species, growing in woodland litter or in old, unimproved grassland. It is widespread throughout temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere, but has also been reported from Australia and South Africa. The fungus is edible, but insubstantial and flavorless. There are several other small white coral-like fungi with which C. fragilis may be confused.

<i>Clavaria zollingeri</i> Species of fungus

Clavaria zollingeri, commonly known as the violet coral or the magenta coral, is a widely distributed species of fungus. It produces striking tubular, purple to pinkish-violet fruit bodies that grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) tall and 7 cm (2.8 in) wide. The extreme tips of the fragile, slender branches are usually rounded and brownish. A typical member of the clavarioid or club fungi, Clavaria zollingeri is saprobic, and so derives nutrients by breaking down organic matter. The fruit bodies are typically found growing on the ground in woodland litter, or in grasslands. Variations in branching and color can often be used to distinguish C. zollingeri from similarly colored coral fungi such as Alloclavaria purpurea and Clavulina amethystina, although microscopy is required to reliably identify the latter species.

<i>Hericium abietis</i> Species of fungus

Hericium abietis, commonly known as the bear's head, conifer coral hericium, or western coral hedgehog, is an edible mushroom in the tooth fungus group. It grows on conifer stumps or logs in North America, producing a cream white fruit body up to 10–75 cm (4–30 in) tall and wide. It fruits from after the start of the fall rains to mid-season.

<i>Thelephora palmata</i> Species of clavarioid fungus

Thelephora palmata commonly known as the fetid false coral or stinking earthfan, is a species of clavarioid fungus in the family Thelephoraceae. The fruit bodies are leathery and coral-like, with branches that are narrow at the base before widening out like a fan and splitting into numerous flattened prongs. The wedge-like tips are whitish when young, but darken as the fungus matures. The common names of the fungus refers to its pungent odor, likened to fetid garlic. A widely distributed but uncommon species, it is found in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America, where it fruits on the ground in both coniferous and mixed forest.

<i>Clavulina cinerea</i> Species of fungus

Clavulina cinerea, commonly known as the gray coral or ashy coral mushroom, is a species of coral fungus in the family Clavulinaceae. This grayish white edible fungus stands 2–10 cm tall, and can be found on the ground from July–October in Northeastern North America.

<i>Ramaria fennica</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria fennica, commonly known as the bitter coral, is a coral mushroom in the family Gomphaceae. It is found in Australia, Europe and North America.

<i>Ramaria stricta</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria stricta, commonly known as the strict-branch coral or strict coral mushroom, is a coral fungus of the genus Ramaria. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, and grows on dead wood, stumps, trunks, and branches of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Its fruit body is up to 10 cm tall, made of multiple slender, compact, and vertical parallel branches. Its color is typically light tan to vinaceous-brown. All parts of the mushroom will bruise when handled. There are several lookalike corals that can usually be distinguished from R. stricta by differences in coloration, bruising reaction, or microscopic features. The fungus is inedible due to its unpleasant odor and bitter taste.

<i>Tremellodendropsis tuberosa</i> Species of fungus

Tremellodendropsis tuberosa, commonly known as the ashen coral, is a species of coral fungus in the family Tremellodendropsidaceae found in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.

<i>Ramaria rasilispora</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria rasilispora, commonly known as the yellow coral, is a coral mushroom in the family Gomphaceae. Described as new to science in 1974, it is found in western North America south to Mexico, and in the eastern Himalaya.

<i>Ramaria araiospora</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria araiospora, commonly known as the red coral, is a coral mushroom in the family Gomphaceae. First described in 1974, it is found in North America, and the Himalaya. An edible species, it is sold in local markets in Mexico.

<i>Ramaria rubripermanens</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria rubripermanens is a species of coral fungus in the family Gomphaceae. Described as new to science in 1973, it is found in the western United States and Mexico. Its fruit bodies, which resemble sea coral, grow up to 16 cm (6.3 in) tall and feature whitish to light yellow branches with pinkish to reddish tips. It is edible.

<i>Ramaria magnipes</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria magnipes is a coral fungus in the family Gomphaceae. It is found in western North America, where it fruits on the ground in mixed forests.

<i>Ramaria gracilis</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria gracilis is a species of coral fungus in the family Gomphaceae.

<i>Ramaria flavosaponaria</i> Species of fungus

Ramaria flavosaponaria is a species of coral fungus in the family Gomphaceae. It is found in the mountains of eastern North America from Georgia and Tennessee to Nova Scotia.

References

  1. ↑ Joseph Schröter, in Cohn, Krypt.-Fl. Schlesien (Breslau) 3.1(25–32), page 443 (1888)
  2. ↑ L., Sp. pl. 2, page 1182 (1753)
  3. ↑ Bolton, Hist. fung. Halifax (Huddersfield) 3,page 115 (1790)
  4. 1 2 Arora, David (1986). Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. ISBN   978-0-89815-169-5.
  5. 1 2 Ellis, J. B.; Ellis, Martin B. (1990). Fungi without gills (hymenomycetes and gasteromycetes): an identification handbook. London: Chapman and Hall. p. 66. ISBN   978-0-412-36970-4.
  6. ↑ See bottom of p. 1182 of Carolus Linnaeus "Species Plantarum, exhibentes ..." (1753), available on-line at the Missouri Botanical Garden's digital library.
  7. ↑ See the Index Fungorum entry Archived 2007-10-16 at the Wayback Machine .
  8. 1 2 See Kuo, M. (2007, April) the MushroomExpert.Com Web site entry: .
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. p. 93. ISBN   978-0-593-31998-7.
  10. 1 2 3 Miller, Hope Ridings; Miller, Orson K. (2006). North American mushrooms: a field guide to edible and inedible fungi. Guilford, Conn: Falcon Guide. p. 345. ISBN   978-0-7627-3109-1.
  11. 1 2 Orr, Dorothy B.; Orr, Robert Thomas (1980). Mushrooms of Western North America (California Natural History Guides). Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 65. ISBN   978-0-520-03660-4.
  12. ↑ Linda Fung-yee Ng (1993). The Macrofungus Flora of China's Guangdong Province (Chinese University Press). New York: Columbia University Press. p. 93. ISBN   978-962-201-556-2. Google Books
  13. 1 2 3 4 Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 251. ISBN   978-0-88192-935-5.
  14. ↑ Endo S, Zhiping G, Takagi T. (1991). Lipid components of seven species of Basidiomycotina and three species of Ascomycotina. Journal of the Japan Oil Chemists' Society40(7): 574–77.
  15. ↑ Endo S. (1997). Vegetables are a treasurehouse of effective lipid sources. Nihon yukagaku kaishi46(10): 1247–256. Abstract
  16. ↑ Foy, Nicky; Phillips, Roger; Kibby, Geoffrey (1991). Mushrooms of North America. Boston: Little, Brown. p. 292. ISBN   978-0-316-70613-1.
  17. ↑ Ian Burrows (2005). Food from the Wild. New Holland Publishers Ltd. p. 98. ISBN   978-1-84330-891-1. Google Books
  18. ↑ Margaret McKenny; Daniel E Stuntz (1987). The New Savory Wild Mushroom. University of Washington Press. p. 176. ISBN   978-0-295-96480-5.
  19. ↑ Geoff, Dann (2016-09-29). Edible mushrooms: a forager's guide to the wild fungi of Britain, Ireland and Europe. Cambridge, England. ISBN   9780857843975. OCLC   971245992.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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