Trial Field Key to species of RAMARIA in the Pacific Northwest

Trial Field Key to species of RAMARIA in the Pacific Northwest

Prepared for the Pacific Northwest Key Council

By Kit Scates Barnhart (North Idaho Mycological Association) August 1981

Revised and expanded by Michael Beug – October 2004

RAMARIA

These keys are founded on research by Dr. Currie D. Marr, who has also supplied type descriptions, verified identifications, and offered much help and encouragement. Thanks and appreciation also go to the late Dr. Daniel E. Stuntz for his infinite patience, and to Ronald H. Petersen for his generosity in sending reprints on the clavarioid fungi. The 2003 revision relies on publications by Dr. R. H. Petersen and benefits from reference to "Ramaria: Trial Key to the Pacific Northwest Species" by Ron Exeter (April, 2003). Ron Exeter’s key, starting from microscopic features, should be used whenever you are trying to key Ramarias no longer in fresh condition.

Ramaria is a genus to interest everybody. It occurs more abundantly in the Pacific Northwest than in any other part of the Unites States. Even if it didn’t contain some of the meatiest mushrooms known, it would still be fun learning some of them by name because of their beauty. The late Dr. Alexander H. Smith, who probably spent more time doing field research than any other world-famous mycologist, calls Ramarias "the prettiest fungi in the woods."

Just as in any other group containing some poisonous species as well as many fine edibles, there is still a real need for better recognition of species. Though none are known to be truly dangerous, two species are usually labeled "poisonous’" and others are suspected of causing gastrointestinal upsets. Unfortunately, due to past confusion in identifying Ramarias, there are few reliable records as to potentially toxic species. It would be of real benefit should you encounter or hear of an unpleasant reaction to a Ramaria that you report to your club’s toxicology committee or to Michael Beug (beugm@evergreen.edu) which ones cause trouble. If in the past you have been successfully eating a species traditionally labeled as poisonous, please let Michael Beug know this as well. In the more than 20 years since this key was first published, the author is aware of no poisonings other than gastrointestinal distress from eating any species of Ramaria.

Because of the changes in shape and size and color each fruiting body goes through as it ages, and the overlap between species, it is a real challenge to key out a PNW species of Ramaria. Using just macroscopic features you can probably succeed about 2/3 of the time using only care and your naked eye, provided you follow the rules below. To succeed nearly every time, however, you will need some chemicals and a microscope, as explained on the next page.

RULES OF THE GAME:

At least one specimen must be young (still growing) and fresh. (nearly all corals become almost the same dead-grass color in old age or after sitting around on a display table for a day or so). If they are growing close enough together so that you can be sure they are the same species, two or more specimens would be even better (Ramarias often grow in fairy rings).
Your specimen must have its entire base; in short, you must dig it up. Be certain to notice if any rhizomorphs are present.
You must decide if tips and branches are different colors or merely different shades of the same color; then select the correct series below. (It is important to record the color of the branch tips when specimens are first collected.)

SERIES	TIPS	BRANCHES	NICKNAME OF GROUP
100	Red or Pink	Red or Pink	Rosy Realm
200	Orange	Orange	Orange Maze
300	Yellow	Orange or Pink	Formosa Forest
400	Yellow	Yellow	Flava Flock
500	Various	Tan, Brown or Violet (if on wood, see 700)	Leathers and Lilacs
600	Various	Pale-colored (white, cream, pale dusty pink, pale buff, etc.)	Creamy Crop
700	Various	Various– mostly brown on wood or forest litter	Loggers and Duffers

From other club and coral mushrooms, the genus Ramaria is distinguished by the yellowish color of the spores, the branching habit, and more technically, a blue-green reaction to iron salts (typically 10% aqueous FeSO₄) applied on fresh branches. Color, size and shape vary tremendously. Colors are most vivid when fruiting bodies are young and still growing. Most species become paler and duller with age, all finally ending about the same pale tan color as their spores, much like dead grass. Hence it will be almost impossible to identify a single old weather-battered coral; you must have young fresh ones. Even within one fruitbody, shape changes radically with age, commonly being cauliflower-like when young (the best stage for eating) and bushy when mature. Just as with King Boletes, the enlarged base of a young coral will elongate in age and become more equal in diameter. Over-all size varies with weather conditions. Bases (stems) vary proportionately from massive (1/3 to 2/3 total size and weight) to slender; a few of the small kinds growing from a mycelial mat on tree litter (some of the Loggers and Duffers) even seem to have their branches growing directly from the mycelium.

Most species are found in old growth coniferous forests, particularly under Western Hemlock, most of them in the fall. The biggest volume, however, seems to occur among the spring and summer species found at elevations of 2500 ft. or more.

Unfortunately, microscopic features are very important, and many identifications can still be made only on the basis of size or ornamentation of the spores, staining properties of the basidia, clamp connections on the hyphae, or number of hyphal types. Spores may have walls that are smooth, striate, finely or coarsely warted, or spiny. In fact, the genus Ramaria is divided into four subgenera largely based on spore ornamentation:

Echinoramaria – generally small, dingy ochraceous to brown +/- uncommon mushrooms fruiting in duff and having echinulate (spiny) spores. Clamps present. Part of Loggers and Duffers group.
Lentoramaria – generally dingy small to medium mushrooms with warted spores fruiting on wood or in duff. Clamps present. Balance of Loggers and Duffers group.
Ramaria – striate-spored mushrooms with clamps. Context of stipe usually amyloid. Often with massive bases (and wonderful flavor), often cream-colored, with concolorous or reddish branch tips. Part of the Creamy Crop.
Laeticolora – Spores warted (sometimes smooth) with an average length generally < 11 m m. Clamps present or absent. Context of stipe base sometimes amyloid, usually non-amyloid. Colors often gorgeous. Includes the Rosy Realm, the Orange Maze, the Formosa Forest, the Flava flock, the Leathers and Lilacs, and some members of the Creamy Crop.

USE OF CHEMICAL TESTS:

Two chemical tests are especially useful and should be used by anyone trying to identify a Ramaria.

FSW – Applied to a piece of flesh cut from the interior of the stipe. Several species show a distinctive and rapid blue-green reaction. Most species show no reaction. (All Ramarias have a slow to fast blue-green reaction when FSW is applied to the surface of a branch while other coral and club mushrooms show no reaction when FSW is applied to the surface of their branches).
MI (or IKI ) – apply the reagent to a piece of flesh cut from the interior of the stipe. Some Ramarias yield a slow to rapid amyloid (bluing) reaction. Most are non-amyloid (no change from the brownish iodine color). A red-brown reaction would be called dextrinoid.

FSW – Ferrous Sulfate: FeSO₄, 10% aqueous solution. You can also rub ferrous sulfate crystals on the flesh. I also get the same reaction with ferric salts.

MI – Melzer’s Iodine: 1.5 g potassium iodide (KI) and 0.5 g elemental iodine (I₂) in a mixture of 20 mL water and 20 ml chloral hydrate (a controlled substance, difficult to come by).

IKI - Lugol Solution: 1 part elemental iodine (I₂), 2 parts KI in 150 parts water (use when Melzer’s is not available but be aware that the reaction with Lugol’s solution is much less obvious than the reactions with Melzer’s reagent).

(See Marr and Stuntz (1973) for additional macrochemical recipes and reactions of numerous Ramaria species.)

For microscopic work two additional chemicals are particularly useful:

5% KOH (in water)– use in place of water under the cover slip to look for yellowish staining of material in hyphae, etc. Also useful at 15% and 20% as a macrochemical as noted in Key.

Cotton blue – a stain that is easy to use. Infused under a cover slip cyanophilous material and gloeocystidia will be stained bright blue. Cotton blue is also useful in visualizing spore ornamentation.

Use of spore length and width information

Many species have overlapping spore sizes but calculating the average spore length (reported here as Lm) is often very helpful in separating similar appearing species. The ratio of the average length to the average width (ratio reported here as Em) is yet another useful diagnostic tool.

REFERENCES

Marr, C. D. & D. E. Stuntz (1973). Ramaria of Western Washington. Bibliotheca Mycologia.
Petersen, R.H. & Catherine Scates (1988). Vernally Fruiting Taxa of Ramaria from the Pacific Northwest, Mycotaxon vol. XXXIII 101-144.
Exeter, R. (2003). Key to the Ramaria of the Pacific Northwest, available through Pacific Northwest Key Council. (Note: Contains an extensive Bibliography on Ramaria).

Exeter, R. (2003). Summary of the Ramaria of the Pacific Northwest, available through Pacific Northwest Key Council. (Note: Contains an extensive Bibliography on Ramaria).

Series 100 – The "Rosy Realm"

RAMARIAS WITH RED OR BRIGHT PINK TIPS AND BRANCHES

101a Branches bright peachy pink to crimson (bright red with faint

purplish tint) when young; (flesh of base not amyloid)

................................................................................102

101b Branches and tips scarlet when young, soon fading to orangish shades;

(flesh of base amyloid – purplish in MI or IKI, reaction strong)

................................................................................R stuntzii

COLOR: Tips and branches as above, base white. FLESH: colored like surface or paler; texture softly stringy; taste slightly bitter; odor mild. FORM: Medium-sized, broad; 6-17 cm H x 4-14 cm W; cauliflower-like when young, elongating greatly with age; base single, massive 2-7 cm H x 2.5-7 cm W; equal or tapering downward; often with small abortive branches; lower branches thick; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground in old coniferous forests, usually Western Hemlock, occasionally in fairy rings, fall. EDIBLE. (SPORES Warty, 7-10 X 3-5 mm; Em 2.08, Lm 8.3). NOTE: Some collections of R. araispora var. araispora are also amyloid in IKI or MI.)

102a Branches vivid red to crimson; (spores 4.3 m m or narrower; basidia not cyanophilous)

................................................................................varieties of R. araiospora...105

102b Branches +/- bright peachy pink; (spores 4.5 m m or wider; basidia cyanophilous)

................................................................................varieties of R. cyaneigranosa...103

103a (102b) Mature tips often dotted with yellow; sections between forks; general shape not conspicuously elongated

................................................................................104

103b Mature tips colored like branches, young tips more intensely reddish; general shape conspicuously elongated..."Pink Pencils"

................................................................................R. cyaneigranosa var. elongata

COLOR: Tips as above; branches peach-colored to pastel red when young; fading to brownish salmon; base white. FLESH: colored like surface or paler; texture softly stringy; taste and odor mild. FORM: medium-sized and slender, 8-13 cm H x 1.5-3.5 cm W; branches parallel and ascending; base small, 1-4 cm H x 0.3-3 cm W, consisting of one or more "stems" covered by white fuzz, +/- fusing into a "taproot." HABITAT: Under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBLE. (SPORES: warty; 8-10 x 4-5 mm, Em 2.04, Lm 9.2; crystal masses occurring in flesh of base).

104a (103a) Base thick or slightly bulbous; branches light red..."Pink Coral"

................................................................................R. cyaneigranosa var. cyaneigranosa

COLOR: tips colored like branches or yellow at the very top; branches about peach- or shell- or shrimp-pink; base white. FLESH: paler; softly stringy; taste and odor mild. FORM: Medium or small-sized, 4-12 cm H x 2-11 cm W; base as above, single or semi-divided, often arising from a slender taproot-like structure; branches sometimes flattened and intervals between forks rather short; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBLE. (SPORES warty; 8-15 x 4-6 m m, Em 2.39; Lm 11.0).

104b Base narrowing steeply downward, slender, covered by white basal tomentum, branches salmon or peach..."Peach Fan"

................................................................................R. cyaneigranosa var. persicina

(See description under Key Entry #319b).

105a (102a) Branches vivid red when young, fading to light red in age and tips becoming yellow to pale or deep orange..."Carmine Coral"

................................................................................R. araiospora var. araiospora

COLOR: Tips and branches as above; base white to pale yellow, sometimes discoloring to pale brown. FLESH: Colored like surface; texture softly stringy; taste and odor mild. FORM: Small to medium in size, 5-13 cm H x 208 cm W; base single or semi-divided; bulbous, 2-3 x 1.5 cm, covered by soft white fuzz; abortive branches often present; branches elongating in age to long intervals between forks; mostly slender, 1-5 mm; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBLE. (SPORES warty; 8-13 x 3-4.5 mm, Em 2.68, Lm 9.9).

R araiospora var araiospora

Ben Woo

105b Branches and tips crimson to magenta (slightly bluish red) when young and when mature"Crimson Coral"

................................................................................R. araiospora var. rubella

(This variety differs from var. araispora only by the characteristic mentioned above).

R araiospora var rubella

Michael Beug

Series 200 – The "Orange Maze"

RAMARIAS WITH ORANGE BRANCHES AND TIPS

201a Flesh of base cut vertically not showing a "rusty root" (brown section bottom)

................................................................................204

201b Flesh of base cut vertically showing a "rusty root"

................................................................................202

202a (201b) Stipe flesh instantly turning blue-green on application of FSW
(if no chemical test available, follow this lead)

................................................................................ 203

202b Stipe flesh not instantly turning blue-green on application of FSW

................................................................................undescribed Ramaria spp

Peterson and Scates (1988b): "I know of two taxa with brownish stipe flesh which do not show the instantaneous color change in ferric salts. Both are clamped, neither has been described, and both are autumnal fruiters."

203a (202a) Branches yellow-orange (with yellow tips when very young); base surface rough; (hyphae unclamped)..."Gold Rusty Root"

................................................................................Ramaria celerivirescens

COLOR: tips light to sunflower yellow; branches pale to light orange to light pinkish orange; base white to yellowish-white with extensive patches of reddish-brown discoloration. FLESH: Colored much like surface except sometimes colored slightly more reddish in the branches; texture softly stringy; taste mild or bitter; odor +/- unpleasant. FORM: Medium-sized, 6-18 cm H x 3-10 cm W; base single, 2-7 cm H x 1-3 cm W, narrowing to base or equal; branches and tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. Generally no reaction to IKI, but may have a weak amyloid reaction in fresh specimens. (SPORES: warty; 8-11 x 4-6 mm; Em 1.89, Lm 9.5).

203b Branches light orange or with a tinge of light red; tips same, yellower or darker; base surface not rough; (hyphae clamped)..."Pale Peach Rusty Root"

................................................................................Ramaria amyloidea

COLOR: Branches and tips as above; base white to cream, with brown patches, almost entirely brown with age. FLESH: Colored much like surface or slightly more reddish; texture softly stringy; taste mild; odor slightly sweet. FORM: Medium-sized, broad, 7-13 cm H x 7-15 cm W; base single, stout, 2-6.5 cm H x 2-4.5 cm W, equal or tapering; lower branches often thick and upper sections short making an almost cauliflower effect; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock of Fir, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. Dried flesh at base of stipe instantly dark brown in IKI. (SPORES: almost smooth, 7-10 x 3-4mm, Em 2.47, Lm 8.9).

Ramaria amyloidea

Michael Beug

204a (201a) Base flesh not showing gelatinous streaks when cut vertically

................................................................................207

204b Base flesh showing gelatinous streaks when cut vertically

................................................................................205

205a (204b) Fruitbody with yellow "bellyband" (colored belt where branches take off from base); odor, if any, like green beans or peas

................................................................................206

205b Fruitbody lacking yellow bellyband; odor musty sweet; base very gelatinous"...Gelatinous Coral"

................................................................................R. gelatinosa var. oregonensis

COLOR: Tips same as branches or paler; branches when young light orange but becoming darker and duller with age and sometimes developing a dingy violet cast; base variably white, light yellow or light orange. FLESH: Translucent, pale dull orange; texture stiffly gelatinous; taste mild. FORM: Medium-sized, broad; 8-15 cm H x 5-12 cm W; base fused, broad, 4-7 cm H x 3-8 cm W. consisting of irregularly wrinkled gelatinous streaks; surface with white fuzz; usually with many branch stems arising from same level on base and branches nearly parallel; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground in old coniferous forests, often under Western Hemlock, late summer and fall. EDIBILITY: Usually labeled poisonous. (SPORES: coarsely warted; 7-10 x 4.5-6 mm; Em 1.75, Lm 8.9; hyphae clamped).

R gelatinosa var oregonensis

Michael Beug

206a (205a) Fruitbody not bruising; (hyphae unclamped)"Orange Jellybelly"

................................................................................R. gelatiniaurantia var. gelatiniaurantia

COLOR: Tips and most of upper branches deep orange; just above ground level a band of light to bright yellow; underground part of base white. FLESH: Yellow in tips, base with marbled clear and whitish streaks; texture very gelatinous, especially in base; taste mild; odor beany. FORM: Medium- to large-sized 6-22 cm H x 4-11 cm W, cluster-like; base consisting of many fused gelatinous "stems;" lower branches somewhat fused; tips often pointed. HABITAT: On the ground, under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty, 8-11 x 3.3-5 mm; Em 2.27, Lm 9.3).

R gelatiniaurantia var gelatiniaurantia

M Beug

206b Fruitbody occasionally with dull violet bruised areas; (hyphae clamped)..."Fused Orange Clump"

................................................................................R. sandaracina var. chondrobasis

COLOR: Tips and upper branches salmon to deep orange; a band of bright yellow just above ground level; base white to pale yellow; stains sometimes present as above. FLESH: colored much like surface; stipe base sub-gelatinous, gelatinous streaks present when cut; taste mild; odor none or slightly beany. FORM: Medium-sized 8-15 cm H x 6-13 cm W; base usually a fused mass; branch sections rather short making a very broad fruiting body with many fine branches; tips almost pointed. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBLITY: unknown. (SPORES: 7-10 x 3.5-5 mm, Em 2.08, Lm 8.3).

207a (204a) Fruitbody with yellow bellyband when young and/or bruising brown or violet

................................................................................209

207b Fruitbody lacking yellow when young AND not bruising

................................................................................208

208a (207b) Odor slightly sweet; base flesh cartilaginous when young, becoming softly stringy; branches slim, bright orange; hyphae clamped)..."Largent’s Coral"

................................................................................Ramaria largentii

COLOR: Tips brilliant orange, branches same or paler; base white to pale yellow. FLESH: Colored like surface or paler; texture softly stringy; taste mild; odor as above. FORM: Medium-sized, broad, 12-15 cm H x 7-14 cm W; base massive, 4 cm H x 5 cm W, single or semi-divided, tapering downward or equal; cartilaginous; surface with white fuzz and small abortive branches; branches frequently forked, thick near base, slender above, tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under lowland Hemlocks, fall. EDIBILITY: Presumably edible. (SPORES: coarsely warted; 11-15 x 3-5 mm; Em 2.98, Lm 13.4).

208b Odor mildly beanlike to not distinctive; base flesh cartilaginous with some +/- gelatinous streaks; branches orangy-yellow; (hyphae unclamped)

................................................................................R. flavigelatinosa var. megalospora

COLOR: Branches orangy-yellow to pallid salmon or orange-salmon; tips bright yellow when young, fading to pallid yellow or color of branches; base white. FLESH: colored like the surface; texture as above; taste mild; odor as above. FORM: Small to medium, often broad, 5-14 cm H x 3-24 cm W; base usually consisting of many fused "stems," generally conical, 1.5-5.5 cm H x 1-6 cm W; lower branches sometimes fused; upper branches and tips usual. HABITAT: Ground, Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty; 9-15 x 4-6 mm; Em 2.67, Lm 12).

209a (207a) Stipe large to massive, fruits in the spring

................................................................................Ramaria armeniaca

COLOR: Tips dark orange, branches pallid pastel orange below, pallid orange to bright orange above; base white to off-white. FLESH: White, firm; base flesh white, watery but not slippery; taste mild, odor negligible. FORM: subcircular to broadly egg-shaped in outline up to 12 cm H x 8 cm W; base up to 4cm H x 6 cm W, single, smooth, usually without abortive branchlets, broadly tapering to a point; tips coarse, bluntly minutely knobby at maturity. HABITAT: on the ground in the spring, reported only from Northern Idaho. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: smooth to minutely warted; 8.6-11.5 (12.6) x 3.6-4.3 mm, 1-3 guttulate. Unclamped).

209b Not as above

................................................................................210

210a (209b) Branches bright light orange to orange to red-orange

................................................................................211

210b Branches dull yellow when young, aging Kraft paper bag color; flesh of base like cartilage

................................................................................R. caulifloriformis

(see description under Key Entry 506b)

211a (210a) Base not bruising (Lm >12mm)

................................................................................212

211b Base sometimes bruising brown or dull violet (Lm <12m m)

................................................................................213

212a (211a) Branches light orange to red-orange, occasionally hollow; base usually with conspicuous white "rootlets"; (unclamped)

................................................................................R. longispora

(see description under key entry #319a)

212b Branches pink-flesh to salmon colored (clamped)

................................................................................R. distinctissima var. americana

COLOR: branches as above, tips bright orange when fresh, fading in age to concolorous with branches; base white below, upward becoming bright yellow to golden yellow, fading in age to flat yellow. FLESH: pastel orange. FORM: 14 cm H x 9 cm W; base ovate in outline, tapering downward, tomentose in lower portion. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: 12.6-16.3 x 3.5-5 mm; Em 2.57, Lm 13.73). NOTE: This species is highly similar to R. largentii, but with slightly longer spores.

213a (211b) Base sometimes stained brown; odor sweetish; (unclamped basal hyphae; spores Lm >10)

................................................................................Ramaria aurantiisiccescens

COLOR: Tips intense deep orange; branches light orange, growing lighter downward to the yellow belly band just above ground level; base white; base and lower branches sometimes stained caramel brown. FLESH: Colored much like surface; texture softly stringy; taste mild; odor slightly sweet. FORM: Small to medium, 8-10 cm H x 2-8 cm W; base variable in shape and size, single to compound, 1-4 cm H x 1-2 cm W; surface with thin white fuzz; branches generally slender; tips almost pointed. HABITAT: On the ground, under Western hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warted, 8.5-14 X 3-5 mm, Em2.70, Lm 10.8).

213b Base sometimes with small dull violet bruises; odor slightly beany or not distinctive; (clamped hyphae; spores Lm<10)

................................................................................R. sandaracina var. sandaracina

COLOR: Tips and branches bright orange; a yellow area around the upper base and lower branches; base white to pale yellow, faint small dingy violet bruised spots sometimes present. FLESH: colored much like surface; texture brittle, sometimes a bit of the base slightly gelatinous; taste mild; odor beany or not distinctive. FORM: small to medium, slender, 5-10 cm H x 3-7 cm W; base single to semi-divided, tapering downward, 0.5-4 cm H x 0.5-2 cm W; branches mostly slender with elongated sections between forks; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock or Douglas fir, fall. EDIBILITY: Probably edible. (SPORES: warty, 6.5-9 x 3.5-4.5 mm, Em 2.08, Lm 8.1).

R sandaracina var sandaracina

Michael Beug

Series 300 – The "Formosa Forest"

RAMARIAS WITH YELLOW TIPS ON PINK OR ORANGE BRANCHES WHEN YOUNG

301a No "rusty root" when fruitbody is cut vertically through the center

................................................................................303

301b With "rusty root" (brown section inside bottom of cut base)

................................................................................302

302a (301b) Branches peach- or salmon-colored; base surface smooth; (base flesh amyloid; hyphae clamped)..."Peach Rusty Root"

................................................................................R. amyloidea

(See description under key entry #203b)

302b Branches light orangy-yellow; base surface rough, base tapered; (base flesh not amyloid or at times weakly amyloid; hyphae not clamped)..."Gold Rusty Root"

................................................................................R. celerivirescens

(See description under key entry #203a)

303a (301a) Staining or bruising other colors than burgundy or not bruising at all

................................................................................305

303b With burgundy stains (usually when found, before being bruised)

................................................................................304

304a (303b) Odor sweet; (base flesh not amyloid; hyphae unclamped; spores Lm >11)..."Sweet Formosa Stainer"

................................................................................Ramaria rubribrunnescens

COLOR: tips light yellow, immature branches pastel red aging a shade browner than light orange; base white to orangish-white; base and lower branches staining dark reddish-brown; upper parts fading in age to dingy pale orange. FLESH: colored like surface; texture softly stringy; taste mild; odor sweet in age, like anise. FORM: Medium, 7-16 cm H x 5.5-11 cm W; base single, tapering, 1 cm H x 0.7 cm W; branches +/- slender, abortive primordial branches common in young specimens; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty, 10-14 x 3.5-5 mm; Em 2.37, Lm 12.3).

304b Odor not distinctive; (base flesh slowly amyloid, requiring up to 45 minutes; hyphae clamped, spores Lm < 10)..."Formosa Stainer"

................................................................................Ramaria maculatipes

COLOR: tips light yellow; branches light orangy-yellow; base orangish-white; base and lower branches staining dark reddish-brown. FLESH: colored much like surface; texture softly stringy; taste mild; odor none. FORM: Medium, 10 cm H x 6 cm W; base single, tapering, 2-4 cm H x 1.5-2 cm W; branching pattern and tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty, 9-11 x 4-5 mm, Em 2.37, Lm 10.2).

305a (303a) Not bruising

................................................................................313

305b Base and/or lower branches bruising dull purple or brown

................................................................................306

306a (305b) Base flesh gelatinous or sub-gelatinous, base surface having or developing dull violet bruised spots

................................................................................307

306b Base and/or lower branches thick and fleshy-stringy, not gelatinous; any part bruising brown on handling; (spores coarse-warty and "fat"; averaging 5.4 mm wide)

................................................................................Ramaria formosa

COLOR: Tips light yellow when young, +/- like branches in age; branches light reddish-orange; base white or brownish-white. FLESH: colored like surface or sometimes redder in branches; texture fleshy-stringy, +/- spongy in base; taste and odor mild. FORM: Medium or large, broad, 7-20 cm H x 7-14 cm W; base massive, 3 x 5 cm, single to semi-divided into several very thick "stems"; upper branches slender with short sections between forks; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Douglas fir or (?) Western Hemlock. Fall, sometimes spring. EDIBILITY: Usually labeled "poisonous." (SPORES: 9-12 x 4.5-6 mm, Em 1.93, Lm 10.4; hyphae clamped).

307a (306a) Base usually a bundle of fuzz-covered stems; branches often hollow and +/- pliable or rubbery, surface +/- waxy

................................................................................308

307b Base and branches not fuzzy, hollow, pliable, or waxy as above

................................................................................310

308a (307a) Fruitbody greater than 4 cm tall (spore length to width ratio low, Em<1.6)

................................................................................309

308b Fruitbody up to 4 cm tall (Em>1.7)

................................................................................Ramaria raveneliana

COLOR: tips clear yellow, aging pale orange-yellow to pale ochraceous salmon; branches flesh-colored. FORM: typically 4 cm H x 4 cm W; base fasciculate; branches few to each stem, brittle, often hollow. HABITAT: on the ground under Hemlock and Rhododendron. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: 8.9-11.2 x 5.0-6.1 mm, Em 1.80, Lm 9.94; unclamped).
NOTE: This species is reported in Northern California but is not known in the Pacific Northwest.

309a (308a) Base single to densely clustered, stems not stringy; deeply branched above; up to 18 cm tall

................................................................................R. conjunctipes var. tsugensis

COLOR: Tips yellow; branches pale to light pinkish-orange (salmon to peach) with a waxy translucent look; base white; dull violet bruised spots sometimes occurring on branches. FLESH: colored like surface; texture fleshy-pliable or rubbery; taste and odor mild. FORM: Shrubby, clustered, robust; 4.5-18 cm H x 3-7 cm W; form of base as above, covered by white fuzz; branches often hollow. HABITAT: Under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: unknown. (SPORES: finely warted, 6-10 x 4-6.5 mm, Em 1.53, Lm 7.5; hyphae unclamped).
NOTE: variety may be raised to species rank or transferred to R. fasciculata var. tsugensis.

309b Base a dense bundle of stringy white stems; sparsely branched above; rarely taller than 10 cm

................................................................................R. conjunctipes var. sparsiramosa

This variety differs from var. tsugensis (see #309a above) only by slender stems (approx. 2-3 mm diameter) forming a cluster about 10 cm H x 3-5 cm W; branching only 2-3 times near tips. Peterson (1986) "It is likely that R. c. var. tsugensis does not differ significantly from R. c. var. sparsiramosa and that further study will conclude that they are synonyms." Current (2004) proposals would raise it to species rank or transfer to R. fasciculata var. sparsiramosa.

R conjunctipes var sparsiramosa

Michael Beug

310a (307b) Odor like green beans or green peas

................................................................................311

310b Odor sweetly fragrant... "Sweet Orange Clump"

................................................................................R. sandaracina var. euosma

COLOR: Tips light yellow; branches pale orange with a yellow band at junction with base, bruising dull violet; base white. FLESH: translucent, colored much like surface; texture sub-gelatinous, rubbery when fresh; taste mild; odor as above. FORM: Broad, 8 cm H x 9 cm W; base fused from stems about 2 cm diameter; upper branches and tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Douglas fir and Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Probably edible. (SPORES: 6.5-9 X 3.5-4.5 mm; hyphae clamped).

311a (310a) Branches orange to yellow-orange; (spores averaging <11m m)

................................................................................312

311b Branches orangy-yellow to pallid salmon; (spore length averages >11m m)

................................................................................R. flavigelatinosa var. megalospora

(see description under Key Entry #208b).

312a (311a) Branches apricot yellow to orange, bruising dull violet; flesh yellow in the branches, white in the base; gelatinized content of base and branches about caramel brown

................................................................................R. gelatiniaurantia var. violeitingens

COLOR: tips yellow; branches as above; (yellow bellyband at top of base?); base white. FLESH: Texture sub-gelatinous and brittle; taste mild, odor beany. FORM: Medium, 12-17 cm H x 5-15 cm W; base fused or single, usually slender and rooting, 1.5-5.5 cm H x 1-3 cm W; much forking, upper branches slender, tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warted; 8-11 x 3.5-5 mm, Em 2.27, Lm 9.3; hyphae unclamped, gleoplerous hyphae abundant).

312b Branches yellow with +/- orange flesh

................................................................................R. flavigelatinosa var. carnisalmonea

(See description under Key Entry #409b, and #410b).

313a (305a) Base flesh brittle +/- like stringy cartilage or fleshy-fibrous

................................................................................315

313b Base flesh gelatinous or subgelatinous (both very rare species)

................................................................................314

314a (313b) Like a pale yellowish-pink cauliflower with rounded or knobby tips of same color or light yellow

................................................................................Ramaria verlotensis

COLOR: Tips and branches as above; base white with a band of light yellow above. FLESH: Colored like surface of branches, white-marbled inside base; texture firmly gelatinous to hard rubbery, watery when fresh; taste mild, odor slightly beany. FORM: Medium, compact and very broad; 9 cm H x 10 cm W; base single, small; 1.5 cm H x 2.5 cm W; lower branches thick and fused, upper two levels of branchlets usually free; tips as above. HABITAT: On the ground near Pines, California and Washington, November. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: large warts or low discrete plates; 9-11.2 x 4.7-6.1 mm, Em 1.9, Lm 10; long basidia: gelatinized thin-walled hyphae are unclamped).

314b Branches bright yellow below, upward rich pallid salmon; tips bright yellow, hardly fading at maturity

................................................................................R. hilaris var. olympiana

COLOR: branches and tips as above; base white with a yellow bellyband. FLESH: firm-gelatinous; base flesh translucent, +/- hyaline, white outward; taste mild; odor faintly beany. FORM: 10 cm H x 6 cm W; base single, tapering to a point, without abortive branches, rubbery texture; surface slippery though not moist. HABITAT On ground; associated with true Fir, Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: scattered small warts, 9.4-11.2 x 4.0-5.0, Em 2.30; Lm 10.1; basal hyphae unclamped). Similar to R. gelatinaurantia.

315a (313a) Odor not distinctive; shape not broad and chunky; (base flesh not amyloid; hyphae not clamped)

................................................................................319

315b Odor slightly sweet to strong and spicy with a hint of anise; (base flesh amyloid; hyphae clamped)

................................................................................316

NOTE: Another sweet-smelling species, R. cystidiophora var. anisata is known from North-Central California. Its branches are pallid salmon with clear yellow tips and the odor is strongly spicy, resembling anise. (SPORES: 7.6-8.6 x 2.3-3.9 mm, Em 2.24, Lm 8.2; clamps)

316a (315b) Fruits in the spring; (average spore length ³ 11 m)

................................................................................317

316b Fruits in the fall; (average spore length <11m m)

................................................................................318

317a (316a) With yellow belly band, tips yellow to rich yellow

................................................................................R. rubricarnata var. verna

COLOR: tips as above; branches salmon-orange to light salmon above and light yellow at ground level; base and protected abortive branchlets white, often wine-red around soil particles. FLESH: salmon-orange. FORM: Small to medium, broad, 9 cm H x 7 cm W ; base single, large, with clusters of abortive branchlets, minutely pruinose in some areas. HABITAT: known from NE Washington and the Idaho Panhandle, spring. (SPORES: 10.4-12.2 x 4.0-5.0 mm, Em 2.55, Lm 11; hyphae clamped).

317b Lacking yellow belly band; tips greenish-yellow when young

................................................................................R. rubricarnata var. pallida

COLOR: tips as above maturing to light yellow; branches buff to pallid buffy yellow with a hint of salmon; base white. FLESH: muted pinkish-buff, weakly or not bruising red-brown. FORM: Medium, broad 13 cm H x 10 cm W; base single, usually with some recurved stumps but not branchlets, smooth to pruinose where protected. HABITAT: Spring. (SPORES: 9.7-14.4 x 4.0-4.7 mm, Em 2.68, Lm 11.44).

318a (316b) Odor slightly sweet; (average spore length 10mm)

................................................................................R. rubricarnata var. rubricarnata

COLOR: Upper and lower branches pale pastel salmon, pallid salmon buff or cream to occasionally yellow; tips light to bright yellow; base white, weakly bruising reddish-brown. FLESH: Texture brittle, +/- like stringy cartilage; taste mild; odor slightly sweet. FORM: Small to medium, broad 5-13 cm H x 3-12 cm W; base single, stout, tapering downward or almost equal, 2.5-5 cm H x 1-6 cm W; surface with white fuzz and small aborted branches; lower branches thick; upper branches often compacted and long remaining cauliflower-like; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock or Douglas Fir, fall. EDIBILITY: Uncertain. (SPORES: 8.6-11.2 X 4.0-4.7 m m, Em 2.32, Lm 10; basal hyphal clamps present; amyloid reaction with IKI or MI).

318b Odor strongly spicy, vaguely of anise; (average spore length 8.2 m m)

................................................................................R. cystidiophora var. anisata

COLOR: Tips clear yellow when young, fading slightly; branches pallid salmon, often flushed ruddy in age; weakly watery brunnescent where handled; base hoary white. FLESH: color and taste not known. FORM: base single, slender and tapering downward; sometimes with abortive branchlets; 11 cm H x 6 cm W. HABITAT: on ground; found in North Central California, rare in Oregon. Edibility: Unknown. (SPORES: 7.8-8.6 x 3.2-3.9 mm, Em = 2.24, Lm = 3.66; basal hyphae clamped).

319a (315a) Branches orange to red-orange; shape not flattened and fan-like; (basidia with cyanophilous granules)

................................................................................320

319b Branches light peach-pink (from salmon to peach); tips yellow; shape usually flattened and fan-like; (basidia with cyanophilous granules)

................................................................................R. cyaneigranosa var. persicina

COLOR: Tips and branches as above; base white. FLESH: colored like surface; texture fleshy young, softly stringy in age; odor and taste mild. FORM: Small, 7-8 cm H x 3-4 cm W, fan-shaped in outline; branches slender, mostly forked near tips; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. (SPORES: Warty, 7-11 x 3.5-6 mm, Em 2.04, Lm 9.2; basal hyphae unclamped).
NOTE: Also see #104a, R. cyaneigranosa var. cyaneigranosa which has brighter pink branches and a larger size.

R cyaneigranosa var persicina

John Davis

320a (319a) Branches sometimes hollow; conspicuous white "rootlets" sometimes present; young fruitbodies with a yellow "bellyband"; (spores average > 12 mm; hyphae unclamped..."Formosetta"

................................................................................Ramaria longispora

COLOR: Tips bright deep yellow when young, with age fading to match branches; branches light to deep orange; a band of yellow where branches begin; base white. FLESH: colored like surface or paler; texture softly stringy; taste and odor mild. FORM: Small to medium, slender; 4-18 cm H x 2-9 cm W; base single, +/- bulbous OR often semi-divided with several branches arising from a basal root-like structure; branches usually slender; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty; 10-18 x 4-6 mm, Em 3.0, Lm 13.5; hyphae unclamped).

320b Branches not known to be hollow; young fruitbodies with or without a yellow "bellyband;" (Lm 10.6 m; hyphae clamped)..."Slim Formosa"

................................................................................Ramaria leptoformosa

COLOR: Tips deep yellow to orange; branches light orange to light red, sometimes yellow in lower portion; base white tinged with yellow or orange, bruising or staining reactions slight to absent. FLESH: colored like surface; texture softly stringy; taste and odor mild. FORM: Medium, usually taller than broad; 4.5-17 cm H x 2-10 cm W; base 0.5 cm H x 1-4 cm W, often semi-divided into several +/- fused stems; branches slender; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: On the ground under Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, and Western Yew, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty; 8-13 x 3-5 mm, Em 2.6, Lm 10.6).

Series 400 – The "Flava Flock"

RAMARIAS WITH YELLOW BRANCHES AND TIPS

401a Growing on the ground; branches various

................................................................................402

401b Growing on (usually) visible wood; branches slender, erect, and parallel

................................................................................R. stricta

(See description under Key Entry #717a)

402a (401a) Flesh of base when cut vertically lacking a "rusty root" (+/- triangular section of rusty brown hyphae at bottom)

................................................................................403

402b Flesh of vertically cut base revealing a "rusty root;" base steeply tapered , usually with rough exterior; stipe flesh instantly turning blue-green in FSW

................................................................................R. celerivirescens

(See description under Key Entry #203a)

403a (402a) Base lacking wine-colored or brown stains; either not staining at all or with only small dull violet spots

................................................................................408

403b Base surface found with or developing wine-colored or brown stains

................................................................................404

404a (403b) Base surface not covered by white cottony fuzz

................................................................................407

404b Base surface covered by white cottony fuzz

................................................................................405

405a (404b) Odor distinctly sweet

................................................................................406

405b Odor not distinctive..."Staining Fuzzy-Foot"

................................................................................R. cystidiophora var. maculans

This variety differs from R. cystidiophora var. cystidiophora (see Key Entry #414b) by staining distinctly reddish-brown and by having longer spores (10-14 x 3.5-5 mm, Em 2.95, Lm 11.8). Note: see also Key Entry #406a, R. synaptopoda, in which the odor is pungently sweet.

406a (405a) Base like a bundle of cords with oxblood-red spots; odor pungently sweet; (hyphae unclamped); very rare

................................................................................Ramaria synaptopoda

COLOR: tips yellow, branches light yellow becoming paler downward to a white base which has spots +/- wine-colored as above. FLESH: white; texture like stringy cartilage, brittle; taste mild; odor as above. FORM: Small, 6 cm H x 4 cm W; base 2-3 cm H x 2-3 cm W, a dense tuft of fuzz-covered slender stems; rarely with more than 2-3 tiers of branchlets, all slender; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, true Fir and Douglas Fir, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: cylindrical with a prominent apiculus and meandering low cyanophilus warts & ridges, 9-11.5 x 3.5-4.5 mm, Em 2.42, Lm 9.9.

406b Base may be semi-divided but not so extreme as above; odor like lemon blossoms; (hyphae clamped; special binding hyphae in base cortex)..."Lemon Fuzzy-Foot"

................................................................................R. cystidiophora var. citronella

COLOR: tips bright yellow; branches lighter yellow; base white; base and lower branches bruising +/- caramel brown. FLESH: yellowish white; texture fleshy-stringy; taste slightly bitter; odor as above. FORM: Medium, usually taller than broad; 5-17 cm H x 2-12 cm W; base 1-8 cm H x 0.5-4.5 cm W, single or semi-fused from several stems, all covered by a well-defined white tomentum (cottony or woolly fuzz); branches slender in many tiers; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: In deep humus beneath Douglas fir, Western Red Cedar, and Western Hemlock. EDIBILITY: Probably edible. (SPORES: warty, 9-13 x 3.5-5 mm, Em 2.45, Lm 10.3). Note: see var. cystidiophora #414b.

R cystidiophora var citronella

Michael Beug

407a (404a) Branches usually cream-colored (tips may be light yellow); base average (or slender when in small clusters of 2-4); found spring and fall; (hyphae clamped)..."Pale Winey Base"

................................................................................R. vinosimaculans

(See description under Key Entry #603a; see also #304a and #304b)

407b Branches light yellow and tips bright yellow; base thick and lower branches thick; fall; (hyphae unclamped)..."Yellow Winey Base"

................................................................................Ramaria rubiginosa

COLOR: Tips and branches as above; base yellowish white; any part, but especially the base staining +/- winy (reddish-brown). FLESH: white; fleshy to softly stringy; taste mild; odor none or faintly sweet. FORM: Medium, 5-18 cm H x 4-17 cm W; base thick, 2-8 cm x 2-6 cm, single or semi-divided into two or more thick stem-branches arising from a small primary root-like structure; upper branches with short intervals between forks; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Probably edible. (SPORES: warty, 7-11 x 3.5-6 mm, Em 2.14, Lm 9.4). NOTE: A very similar as yet unnamed species has an Em = 2.50.

408a (403a) Flesh of base fleshy to softly stringy; odor sweet or fungoid

................................................................................411

408b Flesh of base like gelatin or cartilage; odor like raw beans

................................................................................409

409a (408b) Flesh of branches whitish or colored much like surface

................................................................................410

409b Flesh of branches salmon-colored (+/- orange) giving a pinkish cast to the yellow surface

................................................................................R. flavigelatinosa var. carnisalmonea

This variety differs from var. flavigelatinosa (see #410b below) only by the color of the branch flesh as above.

410a (409a) Base covered by white tomentum (cottony fuzz); taste slightly bitter; (hyphae clamped; special binding hyphae present in base cortex)..."Beany Fuzzy Foot"

................................................................................R. cystidiophora var. fabiolens

This variety differs from var. cystidiophora (see #414b) only in its odor like raw string-beans; its larger size, very broad, 9-18 cm H x 7-15 cm W; (and its larger spores, 8-11 x 3.5-5 mm, Em 2.31, Lm 9.7).

410b Base lacking white tomentum; taste not distinctive; (hyphae not clamped; no binding hyphae)

................................................................................R. flavigelatinosa var. flavigelatinosa

COLOR: Tips bright yellow; branches lighter yellow; base white; lower parts occasionally with dull violet bruised spots. FLESH: of branches white, of base translucent white; texture firmly gelatinous, like gelatin or cartilage; taste mild; odor of raw green beans. FORM: Small to medium, often broad; 5-14 cm H x 3-24 cm W; base (1.5-5.5 cm H x 1-6 cm W) usually a cluster of +/- fused stem-branches, separated and elongated toward the top; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty; 8-11 x 3.5 –4.5 mm, Em 2.34, Lm 9.6; hyphae unclamped).

R flavigelatinosa var flavigelatinosa

Michael Beug

411a (408a) Growing mainly in the fall; odor very sweet; (spores warted)

................................................................................414

411b Growing in spring and summer only; odor not fragrant; (spores smooth)

................................................................................412

412a (411b) Base not unusually wide, not covered by a paint-like coating; stipe surface not brunnescent; average spore length < 11 mm)

................................................................................413

412b Base wide, measured below branches wider than tall; base surface covered by a soft white coating which is easily rubbed off; stipe surface weakly brunnescent; (average spore length > 11 mm)..."Big Base Goldie"

................................................................................R. magnipes var. magnipes

COLOR: Tips white where protected, bright yellow to chartreuse yellow where exposed (changing to brick red when crushed or frosted); branches of immature fruiting bodies deep yellow, becoming paler and browner in age; base off-white. FLESH: white; texture fleshy to softly stringy; taste mild; odor mild or +/- unpleasant. FORM: large to very large 9-40 cm H x 14-40 cm W; base single, tapering downward; upper branches long remaining compressed in cauliflower-like form, finally elongating, shape usual; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground in mixed coniferous forests, usually with true Firs, spring and summer. EDIBLE. (SPORES: almost smooth; 9.4-13.3 x 3.2-5.0 mm, Em 2.89, Lm 11.5). NOTE: R. magnipes var. albidor , known from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is cream-colored and long remains underground.

413a (412a) Young branches and tips cream to light yellow, maturing pale dull orange or buff, fruits spring and fall

................................................................................R. rasilispora var. scatesiana

(See description under Key Entry 607a)

413b Young branches and tips pale dull orangy-yellow to deep soft orangy-yellow, maturing pale dull orange..."Northwest Spring Coral"

................................................................................R. rasilispora var. rasilispora

COLOR: Tips pastel chartreuse-yellow, often blushing onion-skin pink when exposed to cold, dry air, sometimes turning dark brown in age; branches buffy yellow, pale ochraceous yellow to fleshy buff when young. FLESH: white; texture fleshy when young, aging softly stringy; taste mild; odor none to +/- unpleasant. FORM: Medium to large, broad; 5-15 cm H x 6-15 cm W, often remaining cauliflower-like for a long time depending on weather conditions; base usually single, stout, tapering downward, 3-6 H x 2.5-5.5 cm W; lower branches thick; upper branches and tips usual. HABITAT: on the ground in mixed conifer woods, usually with true Fir present, spring and early summer, usually above 2500’ (800m) elevation. EDIBLE. (SPORES: entirely smooth to very finely warted; 8.3-11.5 x 3.6-4.3 mm, Em 2.57, Lm 9.95; hyphae clamped).

414a (411a) Base not covered by white cottony fuzz; (binding hyphae lacking)

................................................................................415

414b Base covered by white tomentum; odor similar to anise; (binding hyphae present in cortex of base)..."Fuzzy Foot"

................................................................................R. cystidiophora var. cystidiophora

COLOR: Tips light yellow, branches light to buffy yellow; base white. FLESH: Color not known; taste mild, odor as above; texture cartilage-like and +/- fragile. FORM: Medium; 10-12 cm H ; base long, 5-8 cm H x 1-1.2 cm W if single; often +/- tufted; branches slender; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, Fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty, 7-9 x 3-4 mm, Em 2.22, Lm 8.0; hyphae clamped; hyphae of base surface "freely branched and studded with lateral spurs, multi-directional, of narrow diameter, thin-walled, containing a densely cyanophilous, granular protoplasm"). NOTE: R. cystidiophora var. anisata, known from north-central California and Oregon, has pallid salmon branches, a strong spicy odor vaguely of anise, and spores averaging 8.2 mm long. See #318b.

415a (414a) Sweet odor like gardenias, curry; tips yellow aging brownish yellow; branches thick and tufted at forks; often fan-shaped over-all

................................................................................R. flavobrunnescens var. aromatica

COLOR: Tips white when very young, then tips and branches light to bright yellow during growing stages, aging brownish yellow; base white. FLESH: white; texture fleshy or cartilage-like, aging +/- stringy; taste mild, odor sweet. FORM: Medium, shape above; 4.5-15 cm H x 3-18 cm W; base single, 1-6 cm H x 1-7 cm W, tapering or equal; upper branches +/- thick; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall, common. EDIBLE. (SPORES: finely warted, 9-12 x 3-5mm, Em 2.60, Lm 10.4; hyphae clamped).

415b Odor slightly sweet; tips bright yellow to greenish yellow; branches slender or average; shape usual

................................................................................R. flavigelatinosa var. fragrans

This variety differs from var. flavigelatinosa (see Key Entry #410b above) by tips and branches a bit more greenish-yellow, a sweet odor, texture like cartilage rather than firm gelatin, slightly smaller size (5.5 cm H x 7 cm W), slightly larger spores (8.5-13 x 3.5-6 mm, Em 2.08, Lm 10). It is unclamped but false clamps may be present.

Series 500 – "Leathers and Lilacs"

RAMARIAS WITH TAN, BROWN OR VIOLET BRANCHES

501a Lower branches or upper base tan or brown (tips may be violaceous brown when young)

................................................................................504

501b Lower branches or upper base purplish gray to violet

................................................................................502

(See also Key Entry #508c)

502a (501b) Branches when young close to the color of lilacs or violets; base often stout and bulbous but occasionally slender; base 2-5 cm H x 0.6-5.5 cm W; (hyphae clamped)

................................................................................503

502b Branches purplish gray and tips pale tan; base small, about 1 cm H x 1.5 cm W, tapered; very rare; (hyphae unclamped)

................................................................................Ramaria fumosiavellanea

COLOR: Tips pale tan with slight violet tint; branches as above with brownish tint; base pale grayish orange. FLESH: Branches translucent white; base white; texture fleshy-fibrous; taste mild; odor faintly sweet. FORM: Medium, fan-shaped, 11 x 11.5 cm; base size above, single or two-fused; branches +/- flattened, +/- wrinkled; tips rounded or knobby. HABITAT: On the ground In sandy soil, Glacier Peak Wilderness Area, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty, several guttulae with guttules dark and non-refringent; 9-13.5 x 4.5-7 mm; Em 1.93, Lm 10.3; violet pigment turns red in 20% KOH or bright yellow in 10% H₂SO₄).

503a (502a) Branches becoming browner with maturity but upper base and lower branches retaining a purplish band; uncommon..."Smoky Finn"

................................................................................R. versatilis var. violaceibrunnea

COLOR: Tips as above, darkening in age; branches purple in youth, darkening with spore production to smoky olive (buffy brown); base white below substrate, upward pallid grey-violet, sometimes brunnescent in creases. FLESH: not recorded. FORM: Small to medium, 5-13 cm H x 1.5-8 cm W; base single or +/- fused, variably slender to stout, 2.5-5 cm H x 0.6-5.5 cm W; branches and tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground in mixed old growth conifer woods, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: 9-13 x 4.3-5.4 mm, Em 2.13, Lm 10.42; basal hyphae clamped; violet pigment gives same reactions as in R. fumosiavellanea, #502b; spore print deep olive buff).

503b Branches and tips wholly amethyst lilac, sometimes ochraceous purple in age but not turning brown; rare..."The Purple Prince"

................................................................................R. purpurissima var. purpurissima

COLOR: Tips and branches as above; base white occasionally with brunnescent areas. FLESH: white; solid and hard; somewhat bitter; odor slight. FORM: Medium to small, 8-10 cm H x 5-15 cm W; base thick, single, massive. HABITAT: known only from conifer forests in Northern Idaho. EDIBILITY: Much too beautiful and rare to eat. (SPORES: 9-11.2 x 4.7-5.4 mm, Em 2.05, Lm 10.3; basal hyphae clamped).

504a (501a) Texture fleshy-fibrous, slightly punky or pliable; fruitbodies bruising noticeably on handling

................................................................................506

504b Texture gelatinous or brittle like cartilage; not bruising

................................................................................505

505a (504b) Branches brownish-orange when young, becoming browner with age; flesh base very gelatinous, like streaked brownish-orange gelatin..."Gelatinous Coral"

................................................................................R. gelatinosa var. oregonensis

(See description under Key Entry #205b)

505b Branches light brownish-yellow to pallid pinkish-buff when young, becoming more tan with age; texture brittle like cartilage; base flesh lacking distinct gelatinous bands..."Devil’s Flesh"

................................................................................Ramaria caulifloriformis

COLOR: Tips and branches brownish light yellow when young, becoming more tan with age and finally brownish-orange, tips often turning dark brown where exposed and dried in the field; a band of light yellow above the base; base white. FLESH: Colored +/- like surface; texture brittle like cartilage to gelatinous; taste mild; odor slight or musty-sweet. FORM: Small to medium, +/- fan-shaped, broad; 3-13 cm H x 4.5-10 cm W; Base single, usually large, 1.5-4 cm H x 2.5-5 cm W, with abortive branches and clusters; cauliflower-like when young; with age branches and tips not unusual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock or Western Red Cedar, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: warty; 7.5-11 x 4-6 mm, Em 1.96, Lm 8.8; hyphae clamped).

Ramaria caulifloriformis

Michael Beug

506a (504a) Not rare and unusual; top branches slender with normal tips

................................................................................507

506b Rare, unusual; top branches +/- like clubs (Clavariadelphus with +/- split tops); base flesh with "rusty root;" (base flesh instantly blue-green in FSW)

................................................................................Ramaria claviramulata

COLOR: Tips rich yellow when young, concolorous with branches in age; branches light grayish-orange (tan); base brownish white with brown stains. FLESH: Brownish white with band of brown contextual hyphae in stipe; texture fleshy to stringy; taste bitter; odor musty. FORM: Small to medium, 5-13 cm H x 3.5-4.5 cm W; stipe single to fasciculate, strongly rubribrunnescent; sections between forks +/- short; upper branches often enlarged, tips sometimes like antlers, rounded or blunt. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: 8.6-11.9 x 4.3-6.1 mm, Em 1.89, Lm 10.0, with very large apiculus; hyphae unclamped; fertile surfaces turning mahogany on application of 20% KOH).

507a (506a) Young tips not yellow; base lacking obvious white fuzz; bruising not as dark as red-brown; (base flesh not instantly blue-green in FSW)

................................................................................508

507b Young tips yellow; base conspicuously covered by white cottony fuzz; any part bruising red-brown (allow several minutes or more); (base flesh turning blue-green in FSW)..."Brunnea"

................................................................................Ramaria testaceo-flava

COLOR: Tips remaining golden yellow or turning +/- brown; branches golden yellow when young, aging yellowish- or reddish-brown; base white; any part quickly bruising as above. FLESH: brownish-white, immediately turning darker when cut; texture fleshy-spongy and branches pliable; taste bitter; odor none to +/- sweet. FORM: Small to medium, 5-13 cm H x 1.5-7.5 cm W; base arising from conspicuous white mycelial threads, single or +/- fused, 1.5-6 cm H x 2-6 cm W; upper branches +/- parallel and pencil-like; tips variable. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlock, fall. EDIBILITY: unknown. (SPORES: warty, 9.5-14 x 4.2-6.4 mm, Em 2.29, Lm 11.76; hyphae clamped; basidial protoplasm cyanogranular).

508a (507a) Fruitbody usually +/- as wide as tall, range 4-10 cm W; branches cocoa-colored; base bulbous when young and shaped +/- like a turnip, white to off-white and bruising brown to watery brown; fruits in spring..."Brown Baga"

................................................................................Ramaria marrii

COLOR: tips deep fleshy tan when young, fading somewhat at maturity; branches pallid tan below, upwards light brown or flesh tan, often with pinkish buff tints; base white to off-white, bruising chocolate brown to watery brown on exterior, hardly bruising on interior. FLESH: solid, soft-spongy in large stipes, off-white; often minutely marbled; taste mildly bitter to weakly astringent; odor negligible to slightly agaricoid. HABITAT: On soil and duff in mixed coniferous forests including Pine and True Fir. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: obscurely roughened, uniguttulate, 8.6-11.6 x 4.3-5.4 mm, Em 2.08, Lm 9.85; basal hyphae unclamped).
NOTE: R. spinulosa var. diminutiva (#509c) is a similar, less bulky, species that fruits in the fall, has tan to tan-brown chalky-friable stipe flesh and is reported from Washington and California under Pines. They share tip, base and branch color; lack of clamp connections; brown bruising reaction; and have similar spore size.

Ramaria marrii

Michael Beug

508b Fruitbody usually taller than wide, range 5-29 cm H x 5-15 cm W; branches pale yellowish- to orangish-brown; base slender, single to sub-fasciculate, white with superficial hyphae that turn brown; fruits in fall..."Blah"

................................................................................Ramaria acrisiccescens

COLOR: Tips variably colored: like branches, pallid, or with pinkish or purplish cast when young; branches as above; base white, but with lower branches turning brown on bruising. FLESH: brownish-white, texture fleshy to stringy; taste mild to +/- acrid when fresh, cooking or drying with pronounced bitterish-acid taste; odor +/- musty-sweet to beanlike. FORM: Size and shape as above; base single to semi-divided, 1.5-9 cm H x 1-3 cm W; usually fuzzy; branches often elongated, +/- parallel; tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground in mixed old conifer forests, fall. EDIBILITY: Mildly poisonous? (SPORES: finely warty; 8-14 x 4-6 mm, Em 2.06, Lm 10.1; hyphae unclamped).

508c Fruitbody small, up to 13 cm H x 10 cm W but usually much smaller; branches brown to somewhat violaceous brown; tips violaceous brown when young: base up to 5 x 2.3 cm, usually much narrower, sometimes mycelial at very base, deep tan to orange-brown, staining brown; fruits in fall; rare

................................................................................R. spinulosa var. diminutiva

COLOR: Tips, branches and base as above; tips concolorous at maturity; lower base often orange-brown. FLESH: Of stem dull brown, streaked as though with wood grain; taste faintly sour; odor negligible or faintly of chocolate. FORM: Size as above; 3-5 major branches; branches in 3-6 ranks, often rugulose (minutely wrinkled); tips subcristate to finger-like, rounded at maturity. HABITAT: in humus or soil, associated with Pines, known from California and Van Damme State Park, Snohomish County, WA, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: small streaks or ridges and small warts 7.2-10.1 x 4.7-6.1 mm, Em 1.61, Lm 8.56).

Series 600 – The "Creamy Crop"

RAMARIAS WITH PALE-COLORED BRANCHES

(TIPS OFTEN PURPLISH, REDDISH, ORANGISH, YELLOWISH, ETC.)

601a Flesh of vertically cut base lacking a "rusty root" (+/- triangular brown area)

................................................................................602

601b Flesh of base with "Rusty Root;" (rapidly blue-green in FSW)

................................................................................Ramaria velocimutans

COLOR: Tips whitish; branches yellowish white to pale yellow; base white to pale yellow with stains of dark brown. FLESH: white; fleshy, aging softly stringy; taste mild, odor sweet or unpleasant. FORM: Large to very large, 7-30 cm H x 3.5-26 cm W; base entirely underground, usually single, variably shaped, 2-9 cm H x 1-4.5 cm W; branching pattern often terraced (with many forks and tips at the same level); tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western Hemlocks or Western Yews, fall. EDIBILITY: Probably edible. (SPORES: warty; 8-12 x 3.5-5 mm, Em 2.25, Lm 9.0; basal hyphae clamped).
NOTE: See also R. coulterae (#611b) which often has a fan-shaped brownish area in the base of the vertically cut stipe. R. coulterae does not turn rapidly blue-green in FSW.

Ramaria velocimutans

Michael Beug

602a (601a) Base generally lacking vinaceous (purplish or reddish brown) stains; tips various colors, including white to cream to light yellow

................................................................................604

602b Base with winey stains or brunnescent when rubbed AND tips white to cream to yellow or pale orange

................................................................................603

603a (602b) Under Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir and Grand Fir; spring or fall; (spore length averages 12mm)..."Pale Winey Base"

................................................................................Ramaria vinosimaculans

COLOR: Tips and branches pale cream to pale yellow or pale orange; base whitish except where stained as above (any part stains), stains usually present when found. FLESH: colored like surface; texture fleshy to softly stringy; taste mild; odor musty-sweet. FORM: Medium to large, broad, 12-19 cm H x 9-19 cm W; base usually single, tapering or bulbous; 4-6 cm H x 4-5 cm W; branches and tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground under Western hemlock, fall or spring. EDIBILITY: Probably edible. (SPORES: some smooth, some warty, 9-13.5 x 3.5-5 mm, Em 2.93, Lm 12.0; basal hyphae clamped).

Ramaria vinosimaculans

Michael Beug

603b Above 2500’ in Idaho or 5000’ in Sierra Nevadas, mixed conifers with true Firs, spring; (spore length averages 13.3 mm)

................................................................................Ramaria thiersii

COLOR: White to pale yellow overall; tips white where protected, pallid greenish-yellow or straw-yellow where exposed; weakly to strongly brunnescent where rubbed or handled. FORM: Medium, 15 cm H x 8 cm W; base usually single, +/- massive, tapering downward to a narrowed rounded bottom, without abortive branchlets. HABITAT: As above. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: 11.6-15.8 x 4.0-5.0 mm, Em 3.13, Lm 13.3; basal hyphae clamped).
NOTE: A large foetid (coal tar odor) strongly brunnescent Ramaria, R. foetida, with yellow branch tips and pale yellow to cream-colored branches is found in Mendocino County, CA. (spores 7.9-10.4 x 3.6-4.3 mm, Em 2.38, Lm 9.10; moderately amyloid in IKI or MI.)

604a (602a) Tips various colors; base often massive, generally not staining light yellow (but see #612b); (base flesh not instantly intensely blue-green in FSW; generally slowly amyloid in IKI or Melzer’s; spore length averages <14 mm

................................................................................605

604b Tips off-white to pale light yellow or occasionally with a slight vinaceous cast; base massive, staining light yellow; (instant intense blue-green reaction in FSW; quickly and distinctly amyloid in IKI or MI; spore length average >14 mm long)

................................................................................Ramaria subviolacea

COLOR: Tips vinaceous drab to beige drab (pale buffy yellow) and aging yellowish-gray; branches off-white to yellowish gray; base white, staining light yellow to dull orange. FLESH: solid, white, fleshy-fibrous; taste mild, odor slightly musty, ocassionally pungently sweet and spicy. FORM: Medium to large 8-23 cm H x 6-23 cm W; base massive, often accounting for more than ½ of sporocarp height (single, generally short and thick and tapered downward, 2.5-7 cm H x 1.5-7 cm W, with few primordial branchlets); branches and tips usual. HABITAT: Deeply buried under grand fir and Douglas fir, fall and spring?. EDIBILITY: Probably edible. (SPORES: striate,12.0-18 (19) x 5.0-7.0 (7.6), Em 2.67, Lm 14.13; basal hyphae clamped). NOTE: The European species R. strasseri is highly similar and may also occur in this region. It is best distinguished by narrower and slightly longer spores: 11-20 x 3.5-6 mm, Em 3.11, Lm 14.3 and sometimes gelatinous streaks in the base.

605a (604a) Branches white to cream, not noticeably erect; tips often yellowish, orangish, pinkish, or vinaceous; taste mild

................................................................................606

605b Branches very pale brown (blah), usually straight and erect and tall; fruitbody taller than wide; tips occasionally with faint pinkish tint; taste bitter

................................................................................R. acrisiccescens

(See description under Key Entry #508b).

606a (605a) Tips and upper branches orangish or winy; in various seasons

................................................................................608

606b Tips and upper branches cream to pale yellow or greenish yellow (may have pinkish blush in cold, dry spring weather)

................................................................................607

607a (606b) Base and tips sometimes with a hint of pink in age; (amyloid reaction to MI or IKI slow and weak or negative; spores average 10.6 mm)..."Kit’s Creamy Coral"

................................................................................R. rasilispora var. scatesiana

COLOR: Tips and branches cream to pale yellow to pastel greenish, sometimes aging pinkish or turning pinkish red when frosted or exposed to cold, dry air; base white. FLESH: white, texture fleshy to softly stringy; taste mild; odor none or fungoid. FORM: Medium to large, broad, 5-20 cm H x 6-20 cm W; cauliflower-like when young; base single, tapering downward; branches and tips usual. HABITAT: On the ground in mixed conifer woods with true Firs, mainly spring, but also summer and fall. EDIBLE. (SPORES: smooth, 9.4-11.9 x 3.2-4.3 mm, Em 2.85, Lm 10.62; basal hyphae clamped).

607b Sometimes weakly brunnescent; (base flesh amyloid in MI or IKI; spores average 11.4 mm)

................................................................................R. rubricarnata var. pallida

(See Key Entry #317b).

608a (606a) Upper branchlets light orange to light salmon when young

................................................................................609

608b Upper branchlets redder, purpler, or browner than above

................................................................................611

609a (608a) Tips red or orange or a shade browner; not soon losing color

................................................................................610

609b Tips peachy pink to pale salmon (light orange) or a shade browner; soon losing color, then seeming white overall… "Pale Pinky"

................................................................................Ramaria rubrievanescens

COLOR: Tips as above; branches and base white, usually not bruising but occasionally turning vinaceous in damaged areas. FLESH: white; texture fleshy to softly stringy; taste +/- nutty; odor +/- faintly sweet. FORM: often broad, 7-22 cm H x 7-22 cm W, often remaining cauliflower-like for a long time; base single, proportionately massive, usually ½ to 2/3 of total height but not so broad as tall, usually cylindrical with rounded bottom; branches and tips usual after elongation. HABITAT: On the ground in conifer forests spring or fall. EDIBLE, choice. (SPORES: striate, 10-13 x 3.5-5.5 mm, Em 2.67, Lm 11.77; hyphae clamped; context of stipe weakly amyloid).

Ramaria rubrievanescens

Andrew Parker

610a (609a) Stipe contents not gelatinous; branches pale orange and tips light orange or a shade more brown; (flesh of base slowly - ½ hour - and weakly amyloid; spores striate, length averages 13.5 mm; clamped)

................................................................................R. botrytis var. aurantiiramosa

This variety differs from R botrytis var. botrytis (612b) by presence of light orange coloration in tips and branches.

610b Flesh of stipe gelatinous or rubbery; tips red to orange with white to cream branches; (not amyloid; spores not striate, length averages 8.5 mm; basal hyphae not clamped)

................................................................................Ramaria botrytoides

COLOR: Tips and branches as above, aging cream-brown, though tips may retain some red to reddish-orange coloration; base white to cream. FLESH: gelatinous to subgelatinous in base. FORM: Medium, 15 cm H x 10 cm W, cauliflower-like; base single to fasciculate; branches sometimes hollow. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: 7-11.5 X 3.5-4.5 mm, Em 1.97, Lm 8.52).

611a (608b) Texture not noticeably fibrous and stringy, etc.; (true clamps present)

................................................................................612

611b Texture fibrous and stringy in lower branches; outside aborted branches often recurling downward in age; branches very slowly bruising dull bluish violet; (true clamps absent but false clamps present)..."Elsie’s Stringy Pinky"

................................................................................Ramaria coulterae

COLOR: tips deep dull fleshy red to fleshy beige, quickly fading to light vinaceous cinnamon (fleshy pink), in age concolorous with branches but very tips brown; branches white to ivory below then pale yellow to pale beige darkening to buffy flesh (pinkish buff); base white to off white, slowly brunnescent to pallid purple-gray where handled or bruised. FLESH: base watery but not gelatinous, usually with a +/- "rusty root"; upper branches very brittle and crisp, lower branches stringy, fibrous, ripping longitudinally; taste mildly nutty; odor negligible. FORM: Small to medium, up to 12 cm H x 10 cm W; stipe large to massive, up to 8 cm H x 6 cm W, single, deeply lined or channeled, not pruinose or tomentose; very cauliflower-like tips when young, expanding to knobby in age. HABITAT: Intermountain area of Northern and West-central Idaho, rare in Oregon but found in Sierra Nevada range. EDIBILITY: since R. coulterae is readily confused with the edible R. rubripermanens (#612a), it has probably been eaten frequently (and unknowingly) without known ill effect. (SPORES: essentially smooth, 8.3-12.6 x 2.9-4.0 mm, Em 2.81, Lm 9.95).

Ramaria coulterae

Michael Beug

612a (611a) Branch tips pale pink or pallid pink to buffy red or blood red, color persisting after picking; spring, fall; (IKI or MI slowly deep purple-brown or red-brown; spores average <12.5 mm long)..."Perma Pinky"

................................................................................Ramaria rubripermanens

COLOR: Tips before emerging dark reddish brown, color diluting and becoming paler with age, mostly seen in light dull winy shades, fading with age but never white before turning pale tan in old age; branches white to pale cream; base white. FLESH: White; texture fleshy; taste and odor mild. FORM: Medium to large, 9-30 cm H x 9-20 cm W; long remaining cauliflower-like; base usually single and massive, about ½ total height, taller than broad, tapering downward or equal; tips and branches usual in shape after elongation. HABITAT: On the ground in conifer forests, spring, occasionally fall. EDIBLE, usually choice. (SPORES: Striate, 10.4-15.5 X 4.0-5.0 mm, Em 2.58, Lm 12.2). NOTE: Marr and Stuntz (1973): spores 8-13 x 3.5-4.5 mm, Lm 10.3; clamped.

Ramaria rubripermanens

Michael Beug

612b Sometimes bruising yellowish or tannish; terminal branches grayish magenta, (pale red to light lilac when young); found only in the fall(?); (IKI or MI slowly amyloid; spores average 13.8 mm long)..."Wine-Tipped Coral"

................................................................................R. botrytis var. botrytis

COLOR: Tips and a short distance downward variably pale red to light lilac; branches much paler; base white, occasionally with stains as above. FLESH: white; texture fleshy; taste mild, odor sometimes faintly sweet. FORM: Medium to large, nearly as broad as tall, 7-20 cm; long remaining cauliflower-like; base single, massive, 2-7 cm H x 2-4 cm W, tapering downward or equal; tips and branches usual in shape after elongation. HABITAT: On the ground in conifer forests, fall only (?). EDIBLE, considered choice but some people cannot stomach it. (SPORES: striate, 11-17 x 4-6 mm, Em 2.94, Lm 13.8; basal hyphae clamped).

Series 700 – The "Loggers and Duffers"

RAMARIAS GROWING ON ROTTING WOOD OR FOREST DUFF

Most "Loggers and Duffers" are bitter and tough, therefore undesirable as edibles and of little interest to most amateurs. Besides their habitat, these species are characterized by small to medium size, slender to non-apparent stems, leathery texture, extensive development of rhizomorphic strands (white "rootlets") beneath them; spores finely to coarsely warted or spiny; and very variable hyphae.

701a Usually growing directly on wood; may be from buried wood or decayed wood; (spores not echinulate – not spiny)

................................................................................712

701b Usually growing on duff (needles, leaves, cones, twigs, etc); (spores echinulate, smooth, or warty)

................................................................................702

702a (701b) Odor distinct, musty to aromatic, or of anise

................................................................................703

702b Odor not musty aromatic or of anise

................................................................................704

703a (702a) Odor musty to aromatic but not of anise; taste very musty, agaricoid, strong; tips milk white; branches white to cream

................................................................................Ramaria gracilis

COLOR: tips and branches as above darkening in age; base off-white when young, pale ochre, pale orange to pale ochraceous cinnamon later. FLESH: as above; white (composed of thin-walled generative hyphae and cyanophilic thick-walled skeletal hyphae). FORM: small, 2.5 cm H x 2 cm W; stipe single, slender 3 mm H x 2 mm W, with a distinct felty white basal tomentum and rhizomorphic strands; branching about 5 times from the stem; tips pointed. HABITAT: In humus or soil associated with true Firs, Douglas Fir, and Western Hemlock, fall. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: delicately warted, 5.5-7.1 x 3.3-4.4 mm, Em 1.65, Lm 6.02 (Castellano et al 1999: 5-6.5 x 3.5-4mm, Lm 5.3); clamp connections common).

703b Odor faint of anise when mature; taste bitter; yellowish-white when young

................................................................................Ramaria rainierensis

COLOR: as above, becoming grayish orange in maturity; tips paler. FLESH: Orange-white to brown; taste bitter; odor negligible young, resembling anise in older specimens (stem with both thin-walled generative hyphae and thick-walled noncyanophilic skeletal hyphae). FORM: Small, 2-8 cm H x 0.4-7 cm W; base single, slender, 0.5-3.5 x 0.2-1 cm with felty basal tomentum and a few white rhizomorphic strands; tips pointed and appearing somewhat cristate (multiple short apices). HABITAT: In humus or soil associated with true Firs, Douglas Fir, and Western Hemlock. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: with a prominent lateral apiculus 1 x 1.5 mm; 8.1-11.1 x 4.4-5.9 mm, Em 1.89, Lm 9.5 (Castellano et al 1999: 7-10 x 4.5-6 mm, Lm 8.5); with clamps).

704a (702b) Not bruising or bruising brown to brunnescent

................................................................................706

704b Bruising dull to deep green or blue-green

................................................................................705

705a (704b) Rhizomorphic strands snow-white, distinct, felty; small fruitbody; all parts bruise dull to deep green; (Average length of spores 8.2 mm)

................................................................................Ramaria abietina

COLOR: Tips and branches dingy olive yellow, bruising dull to deep green; base like branches except where covered by white cottony fuzz. FLESH: Similar; texture leathery; taste bitter; odor earthy. FORM: Small, 2-5 cm H x 1-3 cm W; base distinct, usually short and slender, 0.5-1.5 cm H x 0.1-0.3 cm W, with distinct wooly mat beneath and surrounding it on the duff; branching pattern usual; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: On conifer debris, rare but scattered throughout conifer forests spring and fall. EDIBILITY: unknown. (SPORES: warts or rounded spines <1 mm long, (5.5-) 7.0-9.0 (-11) x (3.3-) 3.7-4.5 (-4.8) mm, Em 1.92, Lm 8.2; with clamps.

Ramaria abietina

Michael Beug

705b Rhizomorphic strands delicate, inconspicuous; medium bulky fruitbody; stipe base remains white on handling; (average length of spores 9.5 mm)

................................................................................Ramaria glauco-aromatica

COLOR: tips yellow to cream, branches greenish-ochraceous when fresh, ochraceous olive in age; staining intense blue-green; base snow white even after drying. FORM: 15 cm H x 5 cm W; base cottony; HABITAT: in duff under conifers. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: with spines up to 1 mm, 8.2-11.1 x (4.1-) 4.4-5.5 mm, Em 2.05, Lm 9.5).

706a (704a) Not bruising (Note: consider also 713b)

................................................................................709

706b Bruising brown to brunnescent

................................................................................707

707a (706b) Rhizomorphic strands distinctive, pure white; (spores echinulate = spiny)

................................................................................708

707b Rhizomorphs ill-defined; (spores warty)

................................................................................Ramaria suecica

COLOR: Tips white when young to pinkish cinnamon when mature; branches and stipe orange-white to pallid ochre to pinkish ochre when fresh, cinnamon when old; sometimes with grayish-orange to brick red bruises or stains on the lower branches. FLESH: taste mildly acrid or bitter; odor faintly spicy or fragrant; (monomitic, thin-walled hyaline rhizomorphs). FORM: Up to 7 cm tall; usually stipitate, but often branched from base; tips somewhat stout, acute; with litter-binding basal mat. HABITAT: On litter in cool coniferous northern temperate forests, August through October. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: thin-walled with coarse scattered warts, 8.1-10.4 x 3.7-5.2 mm, Em 2.10, Lm 9.0; inflated clamps up to 15mm broad).

708a (707a) Branches olive-brown to yellowish olive-brown; tips creamy yellow green to ochraceous olive; medium size

................................................................................Ramaria mutabilis

COLOR: Branches and tips above; base white below basal mycelium, brown to olive-brown above, occasionally with greenish coloration, bruising reddish-brown; white rhizomorphs. FORM: Medium, 16 cm H x 10 cm W; massive rhizomorphs. HABITAT: on duff in coniferous forests. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: Spines up to 0.6 mm, 5.5-7.5 x 3.3-4.1 mm, Em 1.75; Lm 6.53; clamped).

708b Branches lacking olive to greenish tones; small size

................................................................................Ramaria incognita

COLOR: Branches deep ochre to honey brown when fresh, drying dull orange brown; tips whitish to concolorous with branches; base snow white when fresh and dry, bruising brunnescent on handling; white rhizomorphs. FORM: Small, 5 cm H x 3 cm W; rhizomorphs substantial to 2 cm long. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: Echinulate, 6-8.6 x 3.3-4.5 mm, Em 1.95, Lm 7.45; clamps present).

709a (706a) Rhizomorphic strands distinctive; (spores echinulate)

................................................................................710

709b Rhizomorphic strands ill-defined, not extensive, when dried turning pale lemon yellow in 10% KOH; (spores warty)

................................................................................R. suecica

(see Key Entry #707b)

710a (709a) Rhizomorphs off-white to cream colored; (spores distinctly spiny)

................................................................................711

710b Rhizomorphs pure white, felty; (spores minutely spiny)

................................................................................R. myceliosa var. microspora

COLOR: Branches yellow-ochre; tips pale when fresh, lighter than branches when dry; base covered with white basal tomentum below, colored like branches above. FORM: Small, 3 cm H x 1.5 cm W; short, slender, discrete base (0.5 cm x 0.4 cm). HABITAT: Under Pines. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: With sparsely scattered very fine spines or small ridges, 4.2-5.5 x 2.8-3.5 mm, Em 1.48; Lm 4.4; clamps present).

711a (710a) Fruitbodies much-branched, open, delicate; (spores average < 5 mm long)

................................................................................Ramaria myceliosa

COLOR: Tips at first paler than branches then concolorous chamois to honey yellow, olivaceous in age; off-white rhizomorphs. FORM: Small, 5 cm H x 3.5 cm W; rhizomorphs copious, long, stringy. HABITAT: On conifer litter. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: Spines up to 0.3 mm; 4.4-5.7 x 3.3-4.1 mm, Em 1.65, Lm 6.53; clamped).

711b Fruitbodies more robust than 712a, small to medium; (spores average >7 mm long)

................................................................................Ramaria eumorpha

COLOR: Branches yellow ocher when young, darker and duller when mature (clay colored); tips buff yellow when young, aging cream buff to honey colored; base off-white to pale yellow in region of basal tomentum, color of branches above; rhizomorphs yellowish-white to pale yellow, (ephemerally bright yellow in 15% KOH). FLESH: Paler, texture leathery; taste mild; odor faintly earthy. FORM: 2.5-7 cm H x 1.5-3.5 cm W; stipe single, slender, 1-3 x 0.3 cm, with a conspicuous white or creamy white basal mat of tomentum; branching pattern usual; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: In needle duff under Western Hemlock and other conifers as well as Beech and Oaks, fall. EDIBILITY: Unknown. (SPORES: with spines 0.25-1.5 mm tall, 6.3-10 x 3.3-4.8 mm, Em 1.92, Lm 7.8; clamped).

712a (701a) Bruising brown, red-brown, wine-red

................................................................................715

712b Not bruising

................................................................................713

713a (712b) Branches pinkish buff, pale pinkish cinnamon, tips white to pale cream; base white with copious white mycelia

................................................................................R. rubella var. blanda

COLOR: branches pink-tan, pale pink-cinnamon, pale winy cinnamon, tips often lighter; base white. FLESH: White, tough; taste acrid; odor indistinct. FORM: Up to 8 cm H x up to 5.5 cm W; short stem 1 cm thick, almost branched from base; branches often flattened, especially at axils, branching somewhat antler-like; tips narrowly to broadly rounded. HABITAT: on wood in conifer forests. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: 6.3-8.1 x 4.4-5.9 mm, Em 1.45, Lm 7.14; with scattered prominent warts or meandering ridges; apiculus prominent over 1 mm long, eccentric; clamps present).

713b Branches dull ochraceous to tan, darkening with age; tips pale tan to ocher-tan; base deep cinnamon to avellaneous; with or without green coloration at branch axils or or tips or stipe base...varieties of R. concolor

................................................................................714

GENERAL DESCRIPTION FOR R. concolor VARIETIES:
COLOR: Tips pale tan to ocher-tan, not yellow or greenish-yellow; branches ochraceous to tan becoming darker in age, branch axils or tips greenish in form tsugina; base cinnamon when fresh, becoming violaceous to ruddy in age, (deep chocolate brown in form fumida - but f. fumida is known only from NE North America); rhizomorphic strands white. FLESH: Taste in various varieties mildly bitter and weakly astringent (form marrii) or mildly acrid; Odor aromatic and strong of anise to indistinct and weakly of anise in form marrii. FORM: Small to medium-small, 4-14 cm H x 3-10 cm W; Often branched from base; branches vary with form from lax and open to erect and crowded. HABITAT: Lignicolous but may fruit in humus under hardwoods and conifers, generally fall, sometimes spring. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: 7.8-10 x 3.7-4.8 mm, Em 1.92, Lm 8.06; thin-walled cyanophilic, with scattered low warts and a prominent eccentric apiculus; clamps present).

714a (713b) Branches erect, often crowded, not lax and open

................................................................................R. concolor f. concolor

Color and spore size conforms to species description (see Key Entry #713b). The stipe is deep cinnamon to avellaneous, not deep chocolate brown; form of branches and tips as above. HABITAT: On rotten wood, usually deciduous but sometimes conifers.

714b Branches open, lax, curved ascending

................................................................................ R. concolor f. marrii

General color and spores size conforms to species description (see Key Entry #713b). Characterized by the distinct form as above and the white rhizomorphs arising from a mycelial mat. The taste is bitter and a bit astringent but not acrid and the odor is only weakly of anise.

715a (712a) Odor not pronounced or only weakly of anise

................................................................................718

715b Odor distinct, earthy or sweet, or pungent of anise

................................................................................716

716a (715b) Odor Pungent of anise; (spores warted or ridged)

................................................................................717

716b Odor earthy; (spores smooth)

................................................................................Lentaria pinicola

COLOR: Tips pale yellow when young, aging same as branches; branches variable from light yellow to pale tan or bronze, any part bruising darker brown with handling or aging; stem when present similar or browner. FLESH: Paler; texture leathery; taste slightly bitter; odor as above. FORM: Small, 1.5-7.5 cm H, arising from white rhizomorphs ("rootlets") up to 2 mm in diameter and surrounded by white cottony threads; usually clustered and stem not visible; occasionally stem present, single, slender; branching pattern usual; tips pointed or toothed. HABITAT: Usually on rotting coniferous wood, often smaller pieces, fall. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: 8-12 x 4-6 mm; hyphae clamped; rhizomorphic strands monomitic).

Lentaria pinicola

Michael Beug

716c Odor Musty Sweet; taste acrid; (spores warty)

................................................................................R. rubella var. rubella

(See description under Key Entry #719b).

717a (716a) Branches erect, flattened, parallel, cinnamon to vinaceous ocher or grayish orange; tips light yellow or greenish yellow; any part bruising light brown

................................................................................Ramaria stricta

COLOR: Tips and a short distance downward light yellow to light greenish yellow; branches light brown; stem brown except where covered by white cottony fuzz; bruising as above. FLESH: paler, texture leathery; taste bitter; odor strongly of anise. FORM: Small to medium, +/- bushy; 5-10 cm H x 2-7 cm W; stem varying from absent to single and distinct, arising from white mat of mycelial threads, sometimes with rhizomorphs up to 2 mm diameter; branches as above; tips pointed. HABITAT: usually on rotting conifer wood, fall. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: warty, 7-10 x 3.5-5 mm; hyphae clamped; rhizomorphs with numerous skeletal hyphae).

717b Axils and branch tips green; bruising strongly red-brown

................................................................................R. concolor f. tsugina

(See description under Key Entry #721a).

718a (715a) Stipe base, axils or branch tips exhibiting greenish, light green or bluish-green coloration; at least in some specimens in collection

................................................................................721

718b Greenish colors absent

................................................................................719

719a (718b) Fruitbody not with combination of features described below

................................................................................720

719b Coloring dull reddish (ruddy to ruddy purplish) except tips white when young; taste usually acrid (biting); (rhizomorphic strands turn bright mauve pink in 10% KOH)

................................................................................R. rubella var. rubella

COLOR: As above; branches pale red when young, aging grayish red; base similar except where covered by white cottony fuzz. FLESH: paler; texture rubbery-leathery; taste mild to acrid; odor not distinctive to musty sweet. FORM: Small, sometime broad; 3-10 cm H x 0.5-7 cm W; stem variable, usually missing or branched from base, when present single to several, slender to stout; branches numerous, often flattened in upper parts; tips +/- pointed. HABITAT: On decaying hardwood or conifer wood, fall. EDIBILITY: Uncertain. (SPORES: warty; 6.3-9.5 x 4.1-5.5 mm, Em 1.75, Lm 7.5).

720a (719a) Branches open and lax, curved, ascending, cinnamon-buff; tips delicate, cream buff to light ochraceous buff; stipe bruising brown; smelling weakly of anise; small size; (rhizomorphic strands dimitic)

................................................................................R. concolor f. marrii

(For description see Key Entries #713b and #714b).

720b Major and secondary branches erect, not crowded, not anastomosing; stipe slowly bruising red-brown; small size; (rhizomorphic strands monomitic)

................................................................................R. apiculata var. brunnea

COLOR: Tips light cinnamon; branches cinnamon where fertile, pinkish cinnamon or darker where sterile; base dull brown to color of the branches, occasionally with white basal tomentum. FLESH: Taste mildly acrid to astringent. FORM: Small, up to 8 cm H x 5 cm W; branches as above; arising from copious basal tomentum almost devoid of rhizomorphic strands. HABITAT: On very rotten wood, old sawdust. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: warty, 9.2-11.0 x 3.8-5.0, Em 2.17, Lm 9.8; clamps present).

720c Branches numerous, often anastomosing, congested; medium rather than small size of previous 2 choices; branches and tips red-brown when bruised; (rhizomorphic strands monomitic)

................................................................................R. apiculata var. brunnea f. compacta

COLOR: Tips pale yellowish when young; branches dull cinnamon; base concolorous with branches when young then darkening to dull brownish. FORM: Medium, 15 cm H x 12 cm W; branches very congested, very numerous. FLESH: mildly acrid to mild bitter. Other features, including microscopic, same as in var. brunnea.

721a (718a) Stem 6-7 mm thick, distinct, up to 1.2 cm long; major branches few, stout, vinaceous cinnamon or red-brown; some tips and axils green; strongly red-brown where bruised; (rhizomorphic strands dimitic)

................................................................................R. concolor f. tsugina

COLOR: Tips creamy yellow, sometimes with greenish coloration; branches as above; rhizomorphic strands white. FORM: Up to 8 cm tall by 5 cm W, arising from a small basal tomentum with a small tangle of slender rhizomorphs; Base and branches as above; tips up to 4 mm long. HABITAT: On rotted Western Hemlock wood. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: 7.0-9.3 X 3.5-4.2 m m, Em 1.93, Lm 9.11, thin-walled cyanophilic with scattered low warts; clamps present).

721b Stem often apparently missing or slender and up to 0.5 cm high, usually appearing "bushy" with numerous compact branches; all parts with green coloring; bruising orangish-brown to red-brown; (rhizomorphic strands monomitic)

................................................................................R. apiculata var. apiculata

COLOR: Tips green or bluish-green, sometimes colored like branches when green coloring occurs in forks or on base; branches pale orangish-brown, aging or bruising darker orangish brown; base similar except where covered by white cottony fuzz. FLESH: paler, texture leathery; taste mildly acrid to bitter; odor none. FORM: Small to medium, mostly less than 14 cm H x 10 cm W; shape as above; tips flattened and toothed when young, pointed when mature. HABITAT: Usually on rotting coniferous wood, fall. INEDIBLE. (SPORES: warty, 8.5-11 x 4.1-5.2 mm, Em 2.02, Lm 9.66; hyphae clamped).

R apiculata var apiculata

Michael Beug

INDEX TO INCLUDED SPECIES OF RAMARIA

* Indicates name used in 1981 Version of this Key

SPECIES	KEY ENTRIES

abietina	705a
= *ochraceovirens
acrisiccescens	508b
amyloidea	203b
apiculata var. apiculata	721b
apiculata var. brunnea	720b
apiculata var. brunnea f. compacta	720c
araiospora var. araiospora	105a
araiospora var. rubella	105b
armeniaca	209a
aurantiisiccescens	213a
botrytis var. botrytis	612b
botrytis var. aurantiiramosa	610a
botrytoides	610b
= conjuncta
caulifloriformis	505b
= *cartilaginea
celerivirescens	203a
claviramulata	506b
concolor	713b
concolor f. concolor	714a
concolor f. marrii	714b
concolor f. tsuginia	721a
conjunctipes var. sparsiramosa	309b
conjunctipes var. tsugensis	309a
coulterae	611b
= Elsie’s Stringy Pinky
cyaneigranosa var. cyaneigranosa	104a
cyaneigranosa var. elongata	103b
cyaneigranosa var. persicina	319b
cystidiophora var. anisata	318b
cystidiophora var. citronella	406b
cystidiophora var. cystidiophora	414b
cystidiophora var. fabiolens	410a
cystidiophora var. maculans	405b
distinctissima var. americana	212b
eumorpha	711b
= *invalii
flavigelatinosa var. carnisalmonea	409b
flavigelatinosa var. flavigelatinosa	410b
flavigelatinosa var. fragrans	415b
flavigelatinosa var. megalospora	208b
flavobrunnescens var. aromatica	415a
formosa	306b
fumosiavellanea	502b
gelatiniaurantia var. gelatiniaurantia	206a
gelatiniaurantia var. violeitingens	312a
gelatinosa var. oregonensis	205b
glauco-aromatica	705b
gracilis	703a
hilaris var. olympiana	314b
incognita	708b
largentii	208a
leptoformosa	320b
longispora	320a
lorithamnus	406a
= *synaptopoda
maculatipes	304b
magnipes var. magnipes	412b
marrii	508a
= *Brown Baga
mutabilis	708a
myceliosa	711a
myceliosa var. microspora	710b
pinicola, Lentaria	716b
purpurissima var. purpurissima	503b
= *cedretorum
rainierensis	703b
rasilispora var. rasilispora	413b
rasilispora var. scatesiana	607a
raveneliana	308b
rubella var. blanda	713a
rubella var. rubella	719b
= acris
rubiginosa	407b
rubribrunnescens	304a
rubricarnata var. pallida	317b
rubricarnata var. rubricarnata	318a
rubricarnata var. verna	317a
rubrievanescens	609b
rubripermanens	612a
sandaracina var. chondrobasis	206b
sandaracina var. euosma	310b
sandaracina var. sandaracina	213b
spiulosa var. diminutiva	508a
stricta	717a
stuntzii	101b
subviolacea	604b
*strasseri
suecica	707b
= circinans var. anceps
synaptopoda	406a
testaceo-flava	507b
= testaceoflava var. brunnea*
thiersii	603b
velocimutans	601b
verlotensis	314a
versatilis var. violaceibrunnea	503a
= *fennica var. violaceibrunnea
vinosimaculans	603a