Coral fungus 302520 204103120 2008-04-07T23:40:52Z Steveprutz 1838690 added see also {{Taxobox | name = Coral fungi | image = 0254-ramaria-stricta-most-alike.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''Ramaria stricta'' | regnum = [[Fungus|Fungi]] | phylum = [[Basidiomycota]] | classis = [[Agaricomycetes]] | ordo = [[Cantharellales]] | familia = '''Clavariaceae''', '''Clavulinaceae''', '''Ramariaceae''' | subdivision_ranks = Genera | subdivision = ''[[Clavaria]]''<br /> ''[[Clavicorona]]''<br /> ''[[Clavulina]]''<br /> ''[[Clavulinopsis]]''<br /> ''[[Macrotyphula]]''<br /> ''[[Ramaria]]''<br /> ''[[Ramariopsis]]'' }} '''Coral fungi''', also sometimes called '''antler fungi''', are [[mushrooms]] that are so named due to their resemblance to aquatic [[coral]] or antlers. Initially all classified in the genus ''[[Clavaria]]'', they were later split out into several genera including ''[[Clavicorona]]'', ''[[Clavulina]]'', ''[[Clavulinopsis]]'', ''[[Macrotyphula]]'', ''[[Ramaria]]'' and ''[[Ramariopsis]]''. Some superficially similar species are not so closely related; the fairy club genus ''[[Clavariadelphus]]'' belongs to the family [[Gomphaceae]], while the genus ''[[Calocera]]'' is an entirely different organism of the class [[Dacrymycetes]]. Coral fungi can be similar in appearance to [[jelly fungi]]. They are often brightly colored, mostly oranges, yellows, or reds, and usually grow in older mature forests. Some coral fungi are [[saprotrophic]] on decaying wood, while others are [[commensal]] or even [[parasitic]]. A number of coral fungi are edible, although they should be cropped while young; when old, these fungi are fibrous or dry and woody. Some (such as ''[[Ramaria flava]]'') have been reported to have strong [[laxative]] effects though they are palatable [http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6746~gid~.asp][http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/usdisp/fungi.html]. Some are too small to be worth [[Mushroom hunting|gathering]]. However, some species are poisonous with acute gastrointestinal symptoms arising from consumption. These include ''[[Ramaria pallida]]'', known as colic coral and ''[[Ramaria formosa]]'', yellow tipped coral fungus. ''[[Ramaria flavobrunnescens|R. flavobrunnescens]]'' has been responsible for the death of livestock in Brazil. ==See also== *[[mushroom coral]] - marine animals that resemble fungi ==External links== *[http://americanmushrooms.com/corals.htm AmericanMushrooms.com: Coral Mushrooms] [[Category:Mushroom types]] [[Category:Basidiomycota]] {{Basidiomycetes-stub}} [[de:Korallen (Pilze)]] [[fr:Ramariaceae]] [[lt:Šakočius]] [[simple:Coral fungi]] [[sv:Fingersvampar]]