How to identify Small Staghorn

To correctly identify Small Staghorn (Calocera cornea), check each of these features in order. Misidentification is the most common cause of mushroom poisoning, so cross-reference multiple sources.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Cap

   Shape, color, surface texture, and diameter.

   N/A (no distinct cap)

2. 2

   Gills

   Attachment to stem, color, and spacing.

   N/A (not a gilled mushroom)

3. 3

   Stem

   Length, shape, surface, and any ring.

   N/A (the entire fruiting body is stalk-like, attached directly to the substrate by a slightly constricted base)

4. 4

   Flesh

   Color, texture, and bruising reaction.

   The flesh is concolorous with the outer surface, gelatinous and resilient.

5. 5

   Fruiting body

   Overall growth pattern.

   The fruiting bodies are typically 0.5 to 2 cm (0.2 to 0.8 inches) tall, and 0.5 to 3 mm wide, usually unbranched or with one or two small, antler-like tips. They are bright yellow to orange-yellow, becoming slightly paler with age. The texture is gelatinous and rubbery when moist, becoming hard and brittle when dry. They are smooth and cylindrical to somewhat flattened.

6. 6

   Habitat

   Where it grows and on what substrate.

   Saprobic, growing on dead deciduous wood, especially logs, fallen branches, and stumps. Often found on decorticated (barkless) wood.

Key Facts

Cap surfaces

N/A

Growth Form

Club-like to sparsely branched, solitary or gregarious

Spore Print

White to pale yellow (spores are pale yellow in mass)

Body color

Bright yellow to orange-yellow

Odor

Indistinct

Flesh bruises

Does not bruise

Height

0.5 - 2 cm (0.2 - 0.8 inches)

Cap Diameter

N/A

Fruit body characteristics

• Gill attachment: N/A
• Stem shape: N/A (entire body is stem-like)
• Stem surface: N/A
• Ring: Absent
• Stem cross-section: N/A

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