Clavulinopsis corniculata - Meadow Coral

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

This coral fungus is common in unimproved grassland, including old lawns. Because it also occurs in woodland clearings, there is a chance that it could be confused with Yellow Stagshorn, Calocera viscosa; however, the latter is a rubbery fungus that grows on conifer stumps, whereas Meadow Coral grows among grass and emerges from the soil. In long grass the fruitbody is often tall and sparsely branching, whereas in close-cropped turf it is much more coral like.

Identification guide

Description	Branching stems arising from a common thickened base; stems usually branch dichotomously each branch eventually terminating in two (very occasionally more) blunt tips; yellow, maturing ochre or tan-brown; base paler and downy.
Size	The individual stems are typically 4 to 8cm tall.
Spore print	White.
Odour/taste	Not distinctive.
Habitat	On the ground in unimproved grassland.
Season	June to November.
Occurrence	Fairly common.
Similar species	Clavulinopsis fusiformis is golden yellow and also appears in unimproved grassland, but it branches only very occasionally and then always near its much more pointed tips.