Upright Coral fungus Ramaria stricta

Scientific Name: Ramaria stricta (Gomphaceae). 'Ramaria' means 'having branches'; 'stricta' means 'upright'.


English Name: Upright Coral fungus (Coral fungus family).


French Name: La Clavaire droite (='straight club'); Clavaire dressée (='upright club'); Ramaire droite (='straight branches').

5 Key Characters:

• all branches completely upright.
• white to buff coloured.
• smooth, rubbery and coral like in appearance, sometimes flattened.
• branches have multiple upward pointing forks with pointy tips.
• turns dark red when damaged.

Lookalikes: Ramaria formosa, which is pink or coral coloured and much rarer.


Habitat: Forests, often under Beech Fagus sylvaticus or conifers.


Fruiting Period: July-August-September-October-November.


Status: Quite common.


Edible or Toxic? Not edible (other Ramaria spp are toxic).


Photographed by Loire Valley Nature: