Fungus · GBIF taxon 8869949
Upright Coral Fungus
Ramaria strictaAlso known as Strict-Branch Coral, Strict Coral Mushroom
Upright coral fungi form dense, candelabra-like clusters of stiff, vertical branches that erupt from decaying logs and buried woody debris. Their branches gradually darken from pale yellowish tips to vinaceous-brown bases, reacting with a distinctive dull reddish bruise wherever handled or weathered. By breaking down tough lignin and cellulose, the underlying mycelial networks play an essential role in forest nutrient cycling.
Coral FungusWoodlandDecomposer
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 hardwood
- Decaying conifer wood
- Lignin and cellulose
Predators
- Slugs
- Fungus gnat larvae
- Woodland rodents
ThreatsIntensive clear-cutting and removal of coarse woody debris
HabitatsDeciduous and coniferous woodlands
Life spanFruit bodies persist 1–3 weeks; mycelium lives indefinitely
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderGomphales
- FamilyGomphaceae
- GenusRamaria
- SpeciesRamaria stricta
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Toxic if ingested, and wild fungi have dangerous look-alikes; never consume based on app identification alone.
- Why it is dangerous
- Ingestion triggers gastrointestinal distress including nausea, cramping, and diarrhea caused by toxic fungal irritants.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for compact, parallel branches growing directly on deadwood that bruise reddish-brown when bruised.
- What to do
- Examine and photograph specimens in habitat without harvesting or sampling wild coral mushrooms.
Responsible observation
- Substrate Clues: Check whether the cluster grows from a rotting log rather than soil to help confirm identity.
- Bruise Reaction: Inspect older branches or damaged tips for the characteristic dull vinaceous-brown bruising.
- Gentle Inspection: Use a hand lens to examine the tightly parallel branches without breaking the brittle structure.
Lookalike (c) Fluff Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Fluff Berger · cc-by-sa
Ecological Counterpart (c) gailhampshire, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Kristin Brandrud / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Bernie / Public domain · cc0
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