Content
Clavulina coral (crested horn) is included in biological reference books under the Latin name Clavulina coralloides. Agaricomycetes belong to the Clavulin family.
What do coral clavulins look like?
Crested horns are distinguished by their exotic appearance. These representatives of the mushroom kingdom resemble corals in shape, hence the name of the species. The color of the fruit body is white or light beige with pale, dark brown tops.
External characteristic:
- The fruiting body does not have a clear division into a stem and a cap, it is strongly branched at the base, the trunks are flat, up to 1 cm wide, ending in a shapeless crest.
The branching of the fruiting body can be compact or expanded
- Numerous ridges of various thicknesses and lengths with pointed tips that contrast with the general color, they have a well-defined dark color.
- The structure of the fruiting body is hollow, brittle; adult specimens at the highest point can reach 10 cm.
- The stalk's leg is short and thick; it rises within 5 cm above the soil surface.
- The color at the base is darker than near the branch, the structure is fibrous, the inner part is solid.
- The surface of the entire fruiting body is smooth, with a glossy shade.
- The spore powder is white.
Instances with repeating shapes are almost never found, each of them is unique
Where coral clavulins grow
Mushrooms of this species are not tied to a specific climatic zone; clavulin can be found both in warm and temperate zones. Grows on the trunks of fallen trees in dense groups. Inhabits deciduous and coniferous litter of mixed forests, singly or scattered, forms few colonies in the form of "witch circles". Rarely settles in open glades, located in the depths of woodlands. The main fruiting period occurs at the end of summer and lasts until September-October.
Is it possible to eat coral clavulins
The flesh of these representatives of the mushroom kingdom is fragile, odorless, the taste may be neutral, but bitterness is more often present. The crested hornbill is officially classified as an inedible mushroom. There are no toxins in the chemical composition, therefore, some sources indicate that consumption is allowed. The nutritional quality of coral clavulin is very low. In addition to its exotic appearance, it is not of any value and is not in demand among mushroom pickers.
How to distinguish coral clavulin
Clavulina coral has an external resemblance to several mushrooms, one of them is beautiful ramaria. There are specimens 2 times higher and more in diameter, crested horns. It is distinguished by a multi-colored color, the base is whitish, the middle is pink, the top is ocher. When pressed, the damaged area quickly darkens.
The upper part of the ramaria is presented in the form of short and thick processes
Clavulina rugose is a conditionally edible variety. The branching is weak, the processes are thick at the ends and do not form ridges. The surface is light gray or white with numerous large wrinkles.
Sometimes it takes on a horn-like shape with rounded blunt tops
Clavulina ash-gray is often found in Eastern Siberia, bears fruit from late summer until the first frost. Forms numerous families. The fruit body is branched, with chaotically directed processes, with bright or dark colored tops, the crest is absent.
The color is never white, differs from its family in the color of all shades of gray
Conclusion
Clavulina coral is characterized by an extensive distribution area and abundant fruiting. It grows singly - in a bunch or forms colonies from the beginning of August to the end of September. It is an inedible mushroom with a low nutritional value. It can be found in open areas among low grass, on moss and deciduous litter, and saprophyte also forms dense groups on the trunks of fallen trees.
