Ramaria magnipes

The coral-shaped fruit bodies are relatively large, with dimensions of 9–25 cm (3+1⁄2–9+7⁄8 in) by 14–24 cm (5+1⁄2–9+1⁄2 in). The large stipe, which roots into the soil, is tapered to conical, measuring 7–14 cm (2+3⁄4–5+1⁄2 in) long by 4–6 cm (1+5⁄8–2+3⁄8 in) thick; it stains brown in age. The color of fresh fruit bodies ranges from light yellow to brownish pale orange (with white flesh), while dried specimens tend to be paler, from pale yellow to grayish orange (with pale yellow flesh); the flesh has a slow and mild amyloid reaction. The branches are compact (giving the fruit body a cauliflower-like appearance), with about six branches from the base. The primary branches are thick, up to 3 cm (1+1⁄8 in) in diameter, while the secondary branches are usually in the range of 0.2–1 cm (1⁄8–3⁄8 in) in diameter. Its flesh has a weakly aromatic or fabaceous (bean-like) odor, and a weakly fabaceous or bitter taste. The dimensions of the spores is in the range of 10–14 by 3–4.5 μm (averaging 11.8–3.7 μm). They are cylindrical, and smooth or with very fine cyanophilous (stainable with blue dyes) warts. The basidia (spore-bearing cells) are club-shaped, two- or four-spored with sterigmata up to 14 μm long, and measure 47–80 by 8–11 μm. The variety albidior differs from the main type by having white to yellowish branches. …

The fungus fruits on the ground in mixed forests. It has been collected from the US states of Idaho, Washington, and Tennessee. Variety albidior is found in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, where it fruits in the spring. Ramaria magnipes is a snowbank fungus, meaning it is often found around the edge of melting snowbanks, or shortly after snowmelt.

The species is edible, best eaten young and cooked, and may have a laxative effect.

== References ==