Coral Mushroom - Artomyces pyxidatus, species information page

Coral Mushroom - Artomyces pyxidatus, click for a larger photo

Coral Mushroom - Artomyces pyxidatus
Also known as Crown Tipped Coral Fungus

This plant is poisonous.

The Coral Mushroom Artomyces pyxidatus also known as Clavicorona pyxidata is a very distinctive fungi, a quite common species of several forms in the USA and Europe but rarer in the UK. Its most characteristic feature is the crown-like shape of the tips of its branches. These fungi are considered edible when cooked, but FBCP do not advise or recommend that Coral Mushroom is eaten or used as a herbal remedy. Some people may experience gastrointestinal upset, especially after eating a large quantity. The raw fruiting bodies have a peppery taste which usually disappears when cooked. It does not have a distinctive smell but has been described as faintly like "newly dug potatoes" with peppery taste, however tasting The Coral Mushroom Artomyces pyxidatus should not be tried as several superficially similar coral mushrooms are poisonous.

Growing alone or gregariously on the dead wood of hardwoods, its colors when fresh, are whitish to yellowish darkening with age to pale tan or pinkish, repeatedly branched its branch tips are distinctively "crowned" featuring a tiny cuplike depression surrounded by 3-6 points. Grows to between 4-13cm (1.5-5in) high; 2-15cm (0.8-15in) wide. Determined as a new species in The Netherlands in 2007.

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