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It is a member of the diverse group of fungi often referred to as club fungi or coral fungi. It grows in dense, tufted clusters of unbranched, hollow, and often flattened or twisted bright yellow to orange-yellow stalks.
How to Identify
- Cap
- Not applicable; the entire structure is a simple clavate or spindle-shaped club.
- Gills
- None; the hymenium covers the outer surface of the club.
- Stem
- The base is usually white or pale, contrasting with the vibrant yellow to orange upper fruiting body.
- Flesh
- Brittle, hollow when mature, and fibrous in texture.
- Fruiting body
- Usually 5-15 cm tall, fasciculate (growing in thick, dense clusters).
- Habitat
- Typically found on mossy ground in both coniferous and deciduous forests, often in grassy clearings.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth to slightly wrinkled
- Growth Form: Fasciculate clusters
- Spore Print: White
- Body color: Bright yellow, orange-yellow, often fading at the tip
- Odor: None
- Flesh bruises: None
- Height: 5-15 cm
- Cap Diameter: 0.5-1.5 cm width
- Nutrient gathering: Saprotrophic
Safe
SafeGenerally considered edible by some guides, but it is often thin-fleshed and lacks significant culinary appeal. Caution is advised as some similar-looking species may cause digestive upset.
Quick Check
- Odor: Indistinct or slightly fungal
- Fruiting: Dense tufts or clusters
- Substrate: Soil among moss or leaf litter
Where to Find
North America
Widespread across the continent, common in damp temperate woodlands.
Europe
Frequently observed in mossy, semi-natural grasslands and woodland edges.
Finding Tips
Look for Clusters
These fungi rarely appear alone; identify them by searching for large, yellow, candle-like clusters rising from moss.
Seasonality
Predominantly fruits in late summer through late autumn during humid periods.
Similar Species
Yellow Club
Clavulinopsis helvola
Also known as: Clavaria helvola
Golden Fairy Spindle
Clavulinopsis laeticolor
Also known as: Clavaria laeticolor
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Clavariaceae
- Genus
- Clavulinopsis
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: 4 degrees Celsius
- Freezing duration: Not recommended; texture degrades significantly upon thawing.
- Min Temperature: 1 degree Celsius
- Refrigeration: 2 to 3 days in a paper bag.
How to Clean
Use a soft brush to remove dirt and pine needles, as the fragile fruiting bodies turn to mush if soaked in water.
Explore Golden Spindle, Spindle-shaped Yellow Coral
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