Fungus · GBIF taxon 2550493
crown-tipped coral fungus
Artomyces pyxidatusAlso known as Crown Coral
Crown-tipped coral fungus sprouts in delicate, branching tufts directly from rotting hardwood logs across temperate forests. Each branch ends in a distinct cup-like depression rimmed with tiny prongs, resembling a miniature crown. This wood-decaying saprotroph plays a vital role in forest ecosystems by breaking down fallen timber into nutrient-rich organic matter.
SaprotrophicWood-DecayingBranching
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Decaying Wood
- Lignin
- Cellulose
Predators
- Fungus Gnats
- Slugs
- Beetles
ThreatsDeforestation and clear-cutting removal of coarse woody debris
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed forests, damp woodlands
Life spanFruiting bodies last 1 to 3 weeks; mycelium lives perennially in wood
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAuriscalpiaceae
- SpeciesArtomyces pyxidatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Wild fungi have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild mushrooms based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Branch Tip Inspection: Look closely at branch ends for tiny crown-like rimmed depressions.
- Habitat Check: Confirm the organism grows directly on rotting wood rather than soil.
- Seasonal Timing: Search damp hardwood forests following summer or early autumn rains.
Look-Alike Look-Alike 
Close Relative (c) Christine Young, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christine Young · cc-by
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