Ramaria flaccida

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Gomphales

Family: Gomphaceae

Ochre when young and fresh, turning browner with age, there is little that is immediately obvious to differentiate this coral from several other Ramaria species of similar size and form, and so microscopic as well as macroscopic study is recommended if you need a definite identification.

Unlike the otherwise very similar Ramaria abietina this coral fungus does not turn green when it is bruised.

Identification guide

Description	Up to 6 cm tall and up to 4 cm across, repeatedly branching from largely-buried stems that are up to 1.5cm long and typically 4 mm in diameter; ochre-coloured branches generally start close to ground level; the base is usually surrounded by stringy, cream-colored rhizomorphs or occasionally small sheets of mycelium; branches have long tan-coloured apices. The flesh is white. Odor none; taste mildly bitter.
Dimensions	8 to 15cm tall and up to 20cm across the whole fruitbody.
Spore print	Pale yellow.
Odour/taste	No significant odour but a noticeably bitter taste.
Habitat	Under conifers.
Season	July to November.
Occurrence	Infrequent.
Similar species	Ramaria abietina is usually somewhat shorter and turns greenish when bruised; it is most often associated with spruce trees.