Species details
Cauliflower coral
Ramaria botrytis
Conditional / expert preparation
Photo: Jason Hollinger · CC BY 2.0 · Photo source · License
Description
A large coral-like fungus with whitish branches and pink to reddish-violet tips; the source lists it as edible.
Identification features
The fruitbody is bushy, up to about 15 cm tall and wide. A thick whitish base branches into many pale branches with pink to reddish-violet tips.
Identification checklist
Check the fleshy whitish base and distinctly pink to reddish tips of young branches. Old coral fungi lose their characteristic colours.
How to separate similar species
Ramaria are a difficult group that includes poisonous species. The source recommends only young, clearly coloured specimens.
Habitat
Grows in mixed woodland, especially with beech but also conifers, in summer and early autumn.
Fruiting period
July, August, September, October