Clavaria fragilis

Clavaria fragilis (Holmskjord) Fries (syn = Clavaria vermicularis), also known as fairy fingers or white worm coral, is a saprobic coral fungi that can be commonly found on the forest floor.

Clavaria fragilis growing in a cluster within its natural habitat.
Figure 1. Clavaria fragilis growing in a cluster within its natural habitat.

Clavaria fragilis (Holmskjord) Fries (syn = Clavaria vermicularis)

Ecology and Morphology: Clavaria fragilis (Holmskjord) Fries (syn = Clavaria vermicularis), also known as fairy fingers or white worm coral, is a saprobic coral fungi that can be commonly found on the forest floor  (Figure 1). Fruiting bodies grow in clusters, are unbranched and are slightly tan on the apex of the basidiocarp. Basidiocarps are thin, 1-5mm wide, and are easily broken (hence the species name). Basidiospores are smooth and ellipsoid. Hyphae do not have clamp connections. Overall a small coral fungi that contrasts with the forest floor and is hard to miss.

Taxonomy:

  • Kingdom: Fungi
  • Division: Basidiomycota
  • Class: Agaricomycetes
  • Order: Agaricales
  • Family: Clavariaceae
  • Genus: Clavaria
  • Species: fragilis

 

Literature:

 

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