Ramaria

 

TRIAL KEY TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SPECIES

Version ii

(November 2006)

 

A microscopic key to Ramaria species known from

The Pacific Northwestern United States.

 

Prepared for the Pacific Northwest Key Council

By Ron Exeter

            USDI, Bureau of Land Management

Salem, Oregon

 

Introduction

 

The coral fungi within the genus Ramaria is currently divided into 4 sub-genera. Two of the sub-genera (Lentoramaria and Echinoramaria) are generally lignicolous or occur in duff and often have mycelial threads binding the substrate closely to the base of the basidiocarp. The other two sub-genera (Ramaria and Laeticolora) are terricolous and rarely bind the substrate to the basidiocarp. Generally Lentoramaria and Echinoramaria are small and simple branched and often arise from a single thin stipe or have multiple stipes arising from the duff. The sub-genus Echinoramaria has echinate spores and generally occurs in duff. The sub-genus Lentoramaria generally occurs on wood (or duff) and has warted spores. However, some warts can be large and could be mistaken as small spines as could small spines be mistaken for large warts.  

 

The sub-genus Ramaria can most easily be identified by their striate spores This sub-genus generally has massive stipes, an amyloid reaction in stipe tissues, clamped basidia and a pale colored  basidiocarp (white or cream) with concolorous apices or brightly colored (red to orange) apices.R.botrytoides and R. coulterae (subgenusLaeticolora) could be mistaken for a member of the subgenus Ramaria but they have warted spores, non-clamped basidia and non-amyloid stipe context.   

 

The fourth and largest sub-genus is Laeticolora. Laeticolora is the only sub-genus that contains species with both clamped and non-clamped basidia. All of the other sub-genera have clamped basidia. The number of species of  Laeticolora can be divided almost in half by determining the presence or absence of clamps. There are several species that are morphologically similar and can only be distinguished by the presence or absence of clamp connections. Spore measurements are also key diagnostic characters.

 

Taxonomic Characters:

 

Color plays an important role in the identification of the coral fungi. As with all fleshy fungi, the colors of the basidiocarp can fade or minor colors may become dominant as the fungus ages. Most all ramarias become brown as they mature. Most Ramaria identification keys at some point separate out species into 3 color groups; 1) white to cream, 2) yellow and 3) red or orange. It is important to note color of basidiocarps at the time of the collection. Always note color of the stipe, branches, apices and contextual colors as they may be different from the outer tissue colors. Some species may have what is called a yellow belly-band. This generally occurs on orange colored species. Some species may develop different colors at various stages in the life cycle. Some very young, immature collections of salmon or orange branched species with yellow apices MAY appear as a yellow species if the branches have not begun to elongate (R. formosa). Also, some salmon to orange branched species that have a yellow belly-band can become mostly yellow as they age. The coloration of the context of the branches is needed for positive identification of many non-clamped species of Laeticolora.

 

The size and morphology of the stipe can also be diagnostic of certain groups. Is the stipe massive (as compared to the basidiocarp)? Or single, fasciculate or compound? Is the context of the stipe fleshy-fibrous or is it cartilaginous and/or gelatinous? Does the stipe contain a "rusty root"? A rusty root, if present, can be found by cutting the stipe longitudinally. A rusty root is a band of brown contextual hyphae present in a radially sectioned stipe. It is often arched upward and can vary in size. It may be present in the bottom 1-2 mm. of the stipe or it may extend upward for 1-2 cm.

 

Use of any chemical tests should be preformed on the contextual hyphae of the stipe. This key minimizes chemical use. Only IKI (or Melzers) and FSW (ferric sulfate-10% aqueous solution) are needed. It should be noted that the majority of species that test positive for FSW also have a ‘rusty-root.” Several chemicals often used in Ramaria keys (phenol and analine) are treated as hazardous materials and can be difficult to obtain.

 

The following keys and information was compiled from literature written mostly by Dr. Ronald Petersen (1967 thru 1989), Dr. Ronald Petersen and Scates (1988), and Marr and Stuntz (1973). The key includes all of the species that are known to occur in the Pacific Northwestern North America. In addition, Both Marr and Stuntz (1973) and Petersen and Scates (1988) keys are included along with a few tables displaying features common to similar species.  

 

Updated keys and appendices taken from Ramaria of the Pacific Northwestern United States, 2006; Ronald L. Exeter, Lorelei Norvell & Efren Cazares. ISBN:0-9791310-0-6

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Key to Ramaria

............................................................................................ Page   1

Key to subgenus Echinoramaria

................................................................................ Page   2

Key to subgenus Lentoramaria
 
...............................................................................  Page   3

Key to subgenus Ramaria

................................................................................ Page   5

Key to subgenus Laeticolora species with ‘clamps’

................................................................................ Page   6

Key to subgenus Laeticolora species without ‘clamps’

................................................................................ Page 10

Appendix

Table 1; Comparison of “red” colored Ramaria

................................................................................ Page 14 

Table 2; Comparison of non-clamped SubgenusLaeticolora
species with a yellow color band on the lower stipe

................................................................................ Page 15

Table 3; Comparison of ‘Clamped’ subg. Ramaria and
Laeticolora vs. ‘Non-clamped’ Subg. Laeticolora

................................................................................ Page 16

Marr and Stuntz key to Subgenus Laeticolora

................................................................................ Page 17

Marr and Stuntz key to Subgenus Ramaria

................................................................................ Page 21

Petersen and Scates key to vernal species of Ramaria

................................................................................ Page 22

List of Ramaria species included in keys

................................................................................ Page 24

Bibliography

................................................................................ Page 26

 

 

Key to the Subgenera of Ramaria

1A. Basidiocarps lignicolous or humicolous, small to medium sized, often dingy colored; rhizomorphs often present and binding substrate, of monomitic to dimitic construction; spores warted to echinate, never smooth; clamp connections present, often conspicuously inflated in the rhizomorphic strands

........................................................................................................... 2

1B. Basidiocarps terricolous, medium sized to large, often brightly colored; rhizomorphs lacking or if present of monomitic construction; spores smooth, warted or striate, not echinate; clamp connections either lacking or not conspicuously inflated

........................................................................................................... 3

2A. Spores echinulate; basidiocarps humicolous; rhizomorphs monomitic

............................................................ subgenus Echinoramaria

2B. Spores smooth or warted; basidiocarps humicolous or lignicolous; rhizomorphs dimitic in most species (monomitic in R. apiculata and R. suecica)

.............................................................. subgenus Lentoramaria

3A. Spores striate, often >11 µm long; branches mostly white to cream colored or cream colored with brightly colored apices; stipe context generally amyloid (clamp connections always present; stipe single, often massive)

................................................................................subgenus Ramaria

3B. Spores smooth or warted, generally <11 µm long; branches and apices mostly brightly colored; stipe context mostly non–amyloid (clamp connections either present or lacking; stipe single (then usually slender), fasciculate or compound, small or medium sized)

........................................................................................................... 4

4A. Clamp connections present

.................... subgenus Laeticolora, species with clamped basidia

4B. Clamp connections absent

................ subgenus Laeticolora, species without clamped basidia

Key to Subgenus Echinoramaria

1A. Spore Lm < 5.0 µm, spines generally <0.3 µm
........................................................................................................... 2

1B. Spore Lm > 5.5 µm, spines mostly >0.5 µm
........................................................................................................... 3

2A. Branches open, delicate, chamois to honey yellow; spore spines up to 0.3 µm, Lm = 4.8 µm (4.4–5.7 ´ 2.6–3.5 µm); under conifers
.............................................................................  R.myceliosa

2B. Branches congested, irregular cream buff to yellow-ochre; spore spines fine to verrucose, Lm = 4.4 µm, (4.2–5.2 ´ 2.8–3.5 µm); under Pinus
..................................................................................... R.curta

3A. Basidiocarp bruising blue green upon collecting; spore Lm = ≥ 8.2 µm
........................................................................................................... 4

3B. Basidiocarp not bruising blue green upon collecting or if blue-green stains present, inconspicuous and limited to small areas on stipe (R. mutabilis); spore Lm = ≤ 7.8 µm
..........................................................................................................  5

4A. Spore Lm = 9.5 µm (8.2–11.1 ´ 4.4–5.5 µm, spines 0.5–0.7 µm); basidiocarp bulky (up to 15 cm tall); major branches lobed in cross-section
................................................................... R.glaucoaromatica

4B. Spore Lm = 8.2 µm (7.0–9.0 ´ 3.7–4.5 µm, spines up to 1.0 µm); basidiocarp diminutive (usually < 5 cm tall); branches often flattened
................................................................................  R.abietina

5A. Spore Lm ≤ 6.5 µm (length range 4.5–8.0 µm)
...........................................................................................................  6

5B. Spore Lm ≥ 7.4 µm (length range 6–10 µm)
...........................................................................................................  7

6A. Small areas of stipe often with blue-green stains; dried branch tips olive–brown; spore spines ≤ 0.6 µm, Lm = 6.53 µm (5.5–7.5 ´ 3.3–4.1 µm)
................................................................................ R.mutabilis

6B. Stipe white bruising brown, lacking blue-green stains; dried branch tips white; spore spines longer, ≤ 1.2 µm, Lm = 6.28 µm (4.5–8.0 ´ 3.0–4.5 µm)
.................................................................................. R. argentea

7A. Branches completely fertile (e.g., hymenium amphigenous); rhizomorphs yellowish white to pale yellow; spore Lm = 7.8 µm, spines up to 1.0 µm (6.3–10 ´ 3.3–4.8 µm)
......................................................................................... R.eumorpha

7B. Branches with significant decurrent sterile patches (e.g., hymenium unilateral); rhizomorphs white; spore Lm ~7.4 µm, spines shorter, less than 0.8 µm
...........................................................................................................  8

8A. Spore spines up to 0.8 µm (6.5–8.9 ´3.5–5.4 µm, Lm = 7.38 µm); basidiocarps slender and weak with one or more branches often splitting away from stipe or bending to touch the substrate; stipe not staining or bruising; branch tips tan to golden
................................................................................... R.flaccida

8B. Spore spines longer, up to 2.0 µm (6.0–8.6 ´ 3.3–4.5 µm, Lm = 7.45 µm); basidiocarps stout; stipe browning when handled; branch tips honey-brown to whitish
................................................................................. R.incognita

 

 

Key to Subgenus Lentoramaria

1A. Spores smooth under 1000x
................................. Lentaria or Clavicorona (not covered in these keys.)

1B. Spores ornamented
...........................................................................................................  2

2A. Spores average ~ 6.0 µm long; basidiocarp mostly off-white to pale ochraceous (humicolous; rhizomorphs dimitic; spores 5.5–7.1 ´ 3.3–4.4 µm, Lm = 6.0 µm)
.................................................................................... R.gracilis

2B. Spores average ≥ 7.0 µm long; basidiocarp variously colored (humicolous or lignicolous; rhizomorphs mono- or dimitic)
................................................................................................... 3

3A. Spores average ≤ 7.5 µm long; young branches pinkish buff to ruddy purplish with white to pale cream tips; lignicolous
.............................................................................................................4

3B. Spores average > 8.0 µm long; young branches and tips variously colored; humicolous or lignicolous
.............................................................................................................5

4A. Rhizomorphic strands turning bright mauve pink in 10% KOH; hymenium amphigenous or, if not, with sterile areas running down from axils in narrow lines; stipe grey to brownish; branches dull violaceous to pinkish; spore Lm ~ 7.5 µm (6.3–9.5 ´ 4.1–5.5 µm)
..................................................................... R.rubella f. rubella

4B. Rhizomorphic strands unchanging or yellowish in 10% KOH; hymenium clearly unilateral (especially in dried specimens); stipe whitish; branches pinkish buff; spore Lm ~ 7.1 µm (6.3–8.1 ´ 4.4–5.9 µm)
...................................................................... R.rubella f. blanda

5A. Basidiocarps humicolous
............................................................................................................. 6

5B. Basidiocarps lignicolous
............................................................................................................. 7

6A. Spore Wm = ~ 4.3 µm; rhizomorphs monomitic and with unornamented inflated clamps; spore Lm ~ 9.0 µm (8.1–10.4 ´ 3.7–5.2 µm)
..................................................................................... R.suecica

6B. Spore Wm = ~ 5.0 µm; rhizomorphs dimitic and with conspicuously ornamented inflated clamps; spore Lm ~ 9.5 µm (8.1–11.1 ´ 4.4–5.9 µm)
.............................................................................  R.rainierensis

7A. Upper branches and apices light to citron yellow; spore Lm~ 8.4 µm (7.5–10 ´ 4–5 µm)
.................................................................................................R.stricta

7B. Upper branches and apices dull ochraceous, dull buffy tan to cream colored; spores various
............................................................................................................. 8

8A. Rhizomorphs monomitic; Lm ~ 9.7 µm 
...................................................................................................  9

8B. Rhizomorphs dimitic; Lm ≤ 8.5 µm (R. tsugina Lm = 9.1 µm)
.................................................................................................. 11

9A. Upper branches and apices with light green to light bluish green colorations; spore Lm ~ 9.7 µm (8.5–11.0 ´ 4.1–5.2 µm)
..................................................................R.apiculata var. apiculata

9B. Upper branches and apices without greenish colorations
........................................................................................................... 10

10A. Basidiocarps small; branches sparse ascending to erect, not crowded, not anastomosing; lignicolous; spore Lm = 9.79 µm (9.2–11.0 ´ 3.8–5.0 µm)
........................................................... R.apiculata var. brunnea

10B. Basidiocarps usually large and broadly ovoid in outline; branches numerous, congested and often anastomosing; on wood debris or sawdust; spores similar to R.apiculata var. brunnea
....................................... R.apiculata var. brunnea f. compacta

11A. Stipe, branches or apices with green stains; spore Lm ~ 9.1 µm (7–9.3 ´ 3.5–4.2 µm)
.............................................................................................. R.tsugina

11B. Stipe, branches and apices lacking green stains; spore Lm ~ 8.1 µm (7.8–10 ´ 3.7–4.8 µm)
.............................................................................................R. concolor

Key to forms of R. concolor

A. Branches open, lax, curved ascending
........................................................................................ R. concolor f. marrii

A. Branches erect, often crowded but not lax and open
........................................................................................................................... B

B. Branch axils with greenish colors
...................................................... R. concolor f. tsugina [R. tsugina]

B. Branch axils concolorous with branches, without greenish colorations
................................................................................................................. C

C. Basidiocarp base, stipe and lower branches deep chocolate brown
...................................................................................... R. concolor f. fumida

C. Basidiocarp base and stipe more or less concolorous with branches, ochraceous brown to deep cinnamon brown but not deep chocolate brown
................................................................................... R. concolor f.concolor

Key to subgenus Ramaria

1A. Entire basidiocarp white to cream colored, sometimes with faint violet tinged apices
............................................................................................................ 2

1B. Basidiocarp distinctly salmon, pink or red colored and with brightly colored apices
............................................................................................................ 3

2A. Spores Lm = 14.1 µm (12–18 × 3.5–6 µm), rarely less than 13 µm
............................................................................  R.subviolacea

2B. Spores Lm = 11.8 µm (10.4–13.7 × 4.0–5.5 µm), rarely > 12.5 µm
....................................R.rubrievanescens

3A. Spores Lm ≤ 12.2 µm
............................................................................................................ 4

3B. Spores Lm ≥ 13.5 µm
............................................................................................................ 5

4A. Stipe milk-white (discoloring yellowish), bruising brownish violet; apices buffy pink to pale rose when young, fading soon after collecting or during maturation to yellowish white; autumnal; spores Lm = 11.8 µm (10.4–13.7 × 4.0–5.5 µm)
..................................................................... R.rubrievanescens

4B. Stipe white to yellowish-white, surface not staining or bruising; apices pale pink to buffy or blood red, fading over time to dull rosy pink, color persisting after collecting; autumnal or vernal; spores Lm = 12.2 µm, (10.4–10.4–15.5 × 4.0–5.0 µm) 
..................................................................... R.rubripermanens

5A. Terminal branches red to pinkish red; spores Lm = 13.8 × 4.7 µm (11–17 × 4–6 µm) 
........................................................................ R.botrytis var. botrytis

5B. Terminal branches light orange to orange-brown; spores slightly shorter than above: Lm = 13.5 × 4.7 µm (12–16 × 4–6 µm)
........................................................... R.botrytis var. aurantiiramosa

Key to Subgenus Laeticolora—species with clamped basidia

1A. Basidiocarps (at least at the stipe apex or lower branches) lilac, violet or purple
............................................................................................................ 2

1B. Basidiocarp not lilac, violet or purple
...........................................................................................................  3

2A. Branches and apices intensely violet to purple (amethyst-lilac when young, remaining so or aging to ochraceous purple; spores Lm = 10.29 µm (9–11.2 × 4.7–5.4 µm)
............................................. R. purpurissimavar. purpurissima

2B. Branches and apices less intense (pale to dull violet when young, aging smoky drab, cinnamon, or dark olive); spores Lm = 10.42µm (9–13 × 4.3–5.4 µm) 
...................................................................... R. violaceibrunnea

3A. Stipe compound (a gelatinous mass of fused stipes); spores Lm = 8.9 µm (7–10 × 4.5–6 µm)
............................................................. R. gelatinosa var. oregonensis

3B. Stipe various (not a mass of fused gelatinous stipes) or spores not as above
............................................................................................................ 4

4A. Any basidiocarp part bruising brown or wine-colored immediately when cut; FSW instantly turning stipe context blue-green; white stipe mostly single and covered with white tomentum; branches "maize yellow" when young, then red-brown with tips remaining yellow; spores Lm = 11.76 µm (9.5–14 × 4.2–6.4 µm)                    
............................................................................ R.testaceoflava

4B. Not as above
.................................................................................................. 5

5A. Stipe with ‘rusty root’ (brown band) in radial section; stipe flesh usually blue green in FSW; stipe base often streaked with red-brown superficial hyphae
........................................................................................................... 6

5B. Stipe lacking ‘rusty root’ (brown band) in radial section; stipe flesh not blue green in FSW; stipe usually lacking streaked red-brown superficial hyphae
........................................................................................................... 8

6A. Stipe flesh instantly turning blue-green on application of FSW
.................................................................................................. 7

6B. Stipe flesh not turning blue-green on application of FSW
........................................................... undescribed Ramaria spp.

Petersen & Scates (1988) knew of two undescribed taxa with brownish stipe flesh that did not react immediately to ferric salts. Both were clamped and autumnal fruiters.

7A. Stipe context amyloid (dried specimens instantly turning dark brown); branches light orange to salmon; spores Lm = 8.9 µm (7–10 × 3–4 µm)
........................................................................................  R.amyloidea

7B. Stipe context non-amyloid; branches (creamy) white to pale yellow; spores Lm = 9.0 µm (8–12 × 3.5–5 µm)
...................................................................................... R.velocimutans

8A. Stipe slender, sub-fasciculate, covered with a well developed white tomentum; branches and apices (citron) yellow to pale salmon; acantho-dendroid gloeoplerous hyphae (multi-directional, freely branched, studded with lateral spurs, narrow, thin-walled, in cotton blue densely cyanophilous granular) present in the peripheral stipe context  
..........................................  R.cystidiophora (see key to varieties)

Key to R. cystidiophora varieties:

A. Spore Lm = 8.0 µm; branches yellow or salmon
.......................................................................................................................... B

A. Spore Lm ≥ 9.5 µm; branches yellow, lacking salmon tinge or pigments
.......................................................................................................................... C

B. Branches and tips yellow to citron yellow; spores Lm = 8.0 µm (7–9 × 3–4 µm)
...........................................................  R.cystidiophora var.cystidiophora

B. Branches pale salmon with light clear yellow young tips (tips faded when mature); spores Lm = 8.2 µm (7.6–8.6 × 3.2–3.9 µm)
....................................................................  R. cystidiophora var.anisata

C. Stipe context cartilagino-gelatinous (basal hyphal walls gelatinizing); basidiocarps not bruising or staining; odor fabaceous; spores Lm = 9.7 µm (8–11 × 3.5–5 µm)
................................................................................. R. cystidiophora var.fabiolens

C. Stipe context fleshy-fibrous (no gelatinization); basidiocarps bruising brown to reddish; odor sweet or none; spores Lm ≥ 10.3 µm
............................................................................................................................  D

D. Spores Lm = 10.3 µm (9–13 × 3.5–5.0 µm); basidiocarps bruising brown
............................................................... R. cystidiophora var. citronella

D. Spores Lm = 11.8 µm (10–14 × 3.5–5.0 µm); basidiocarps bruising reddish-brown
.............................................................. R. cystidiophora var. maculans

8B. Not as above; acantho-dendroid gloeoplerous hyphae absent in peripheral context of stipe
.................................................................................................. 9

9A. Base and lower stipe with wine-colored stains
......................................................................................................... 10

9B. Base lacking wine-colored stains or bruises
......................................................................................................... 11

10A. Branches peach to salmon with yellow tips; spores Lm = 10.2 µm (9–11 × 4–5 µm) 
............................................................................ R. maculatipes

10B. Both branches and tips yellow-white to pale yellow; spores Lm = 12.51 µm (11.2–14.0 × 4.3–5.0 µm)
.........................................................................R.vinosimaculans

11A. Spores Lm ≥ 12.5 µm (warted); stipe flesh non-amyloid
......................................................................................................... 12

11B. Spores Lm ≤ 12 µm (smooth to warted); stipe flesh amyloid or non-amyloid
......................................................................................................... 14

12A. Basidiocarp white to pale yellow; stipe massive; vernal (spores Lm = 13.28 µm, 11.6–15.8 × 4.0–5.0 µm)
..................................................................................... R. thiersii

12B. Basidiocarp orange to salmon; stipe slender; autumnal
................................................................................................ 13

13A. Both branches and tips intense orange; stipe broadly conical with small abortive branchlets frequent on the upper base; spores Wm = 4.5 µm, Lm = 13.4 µm (11–15 × 3–5 µm)  
............................................................................................ R. largentii

13B. Branches flesh-pink to salmon colored with bright orange tips; stipe bluntly acute or obconical and lacking abortive branchlets; spores Wm = 5.3 µm, Lm = 13.7 µm (12.6–16.3 × 4.8–6.3 µm)
........................................................... R. distinctissima var. americana

14A. Branches orange, salmon, or red; if yellow, then branch context salmon or orange
............................................................................................... 15

14B. Branches yellow to cream colored (lacking orange to red to salmon colors) 
............................................................................................... 18

15A. Spores Wm = 5.4 µm; branches peach, light red to salmon colored & stipe context non-amyloid; apices yellow when young; basidiocarp staining or bruising wherever handled; spores coarsely warted (Lm = 10.4 µm; 9–12 × 4.5–6 µm)
................................................................................................... R. formosa

15B. Spores Wm ≤ 4.5; branches orange (if salmon colored, stipe context amyloid, see R. rubricarnata); apices yellow to orange; basidiocarp browning or not where handled; spores ornamented with fine to low warts and ridges
......................................................................................................... 16

16A. Stipe base flesh non-amyloid; stipe single to fasciculate, slender to large; branches orange to light red with concolorous or yellow tips; autumnal
................................................................................................ 17

16B. Stipe base flesh amyloid; stipe single, large to massive; branches light orange, pale salmon-buff to yellow to salmon-orange with yellow tips; autumn & spring
........................................................................... R. rubricarnata

Key to R. rubricarnata varieties (from Petersen & Scates 1988):

A. Autumnal; spores Lm = ~10 µm (8.6–1.2 × 4.0–4.7 µm); branches pale cream to salmon-yellow (occasionally yellow) with pale to light yellow tips
................................................................. R. rubricarnata var. rubricarnata

A. Vernal; spores Lm ≥ 11.1 µm; stipe,branches, and tips as above or paler
....................................................................................................................... B

B. Branches short stalked, salmon-orange to light salmon with salmon-orange flesh and yellow to rich yellow tips; spores Lm = 11.1 µm (10.4–12.2 × 4.0–5.0 µm)
.................................................................... R. rubricarnata var. verna

B. Branches elongated, buff colored to pale buffy yellow with muted pinkish-buff branch flesh and dull greenish-yellow (young) to light yellow (mature) tips; spores Lm = 11.4 µm (9.7–14.4 × 4.0–4.7 µm)
.................................................................. R. rubricarnata var. pallida

17A. Spores Lm = 10.6 µm (8–13 × 3–5 µm); basidiocarp elongated; branches light orange to light red with sunflower/dark yellow or chrome orange tips; stipe context fleshy fibrous; bruising or staining reactions slight or entirely absent
................................................................................... R. leptoformosa

17B. Spores Lm = 8.1–8.6 µm (6.5–10 µm); basidiocarp mostly compact; branches pale to deep orange with orange or yellow tips; stipe context sub-gelatinous to rubbery; outer stipe occasionally with dull violet bruised areas
................................................... R. sandaracina (see key to varieties)

Key to R. sandaracina varieties:

A. Apices bright yellow when young; spores Lm = 8.6 µm (6.5–9.0 × 3.5–4.5 µm)

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

A. Apices orange; spore Lm = 8.1–8.3 µm
....................................................................................................................... B

B. Basidiocarps broad (commonly > 8 cm wide); stipe base sub-gelatinous with gelatinous streaks present when cut and numerous elongated primary branches arising from a broad fasciculate to compound base; branches and tips salmon to orange; spores Lm = 8.3 µm (7–10 × 3.5–5 µm)
......................................................... R. sandaracina var. chondrobasis

B. Basidiocarps slender (usually < 8 cm wide); stipe base sometimes slightly gelatinous in part with several primary branches arising from a single stipe; lower branches and upper base bright yellow, upper branches and tips deep orange; spores Lm = 8.1µm (6.5–9.0 × 3.5–4.5µm)
........................................................... R. sandaracina var. sandaracina

18A. Spores entirely smooth or almost smooth at 1000x; primarily vernal
................................................................................................ 19

18B. Spores distinctly warted at 1000x; primarily autumnal
................................................................................................ 22

19A. Spore Lm = 11.50; stipe surface weakly brunnescent; stipe massive; vernal; (R. magnipes)
......................................................................................................... 20

19B. Spore Lm = 10.0–10.6; stipe surface not brunnescent; stipe large to massive; vernal and autumnal; (R. rasilispora)
......................................................................................................... 21

20A. Branches white to very pale yellow (cream to ivory where exposed); tips pale yellow (young) or bright greenish-yellow where unprotected; spores Lm =11.5 µm (10.8–11.9 × 3.6–4.3 µm)
........................................................... R. magnipes var. albidior

20B. Branches light to clear yellow when young (pale fleshy ochre to fleshy tan in age); tips when young cauliflower-like and white where protected or bright yellow to chartreuse-yellow where exposed, in age mellowing to buff-colored; spore Lm =11.5 µm (9.4–13.3 × 3.2–5.0 µm)
........................................................ R. magnipes var. magnipes

21A. Branches buffy yellow, pale ochraceous yellow to fleshy buff when young; tips pale chartreuse-yellow but often blushing to onion skin pink if exposed to cold, dry air; vernal; spores Lm =9.95 µm (8.3–11.5 × 3.6–4.3 µm)
.............................................................. R. rasilispora var. rasilispora

21B. Branches pale to ochraceous cream colored (sometimes with a hint of pink in age) or cream buff; young tips clear yellow or pale greenish-yellow aging buff-colored; vernal and autumnal; spores Lm =10.62 µm (9.4–11.9 × 3.2–4.3 µm)
.............................................................. R. rasilispora var. scatesiana

22A. Stipe context amyloid
............................................................................................... 23

22B. Stipe context non-amyloid
............................................................................................... 24

23A. Spores 4.0–4.7 µm wide; basidiocarp cream to salmon-yellow; branch context salmon or orange
................................................. Ramaria rubricarnata (see lead 16B)

23B. Spores 3.0–4.0 µm wide; basidiocarp pale yellow to yellow; branch context white yellow to yellow
...................................................................... Ramaria rasilisporoides

24A. Spores Lm = 10.4 µm, Wm = 4.0 µm (9–12 × 3–5 µm), and covered with small obscure warts; basidiocarp pale yellow; odor sweet (like gardenias or curry)
............................... Ramaria flavobrunnescens var. aromatica

24B. Spores Lm ≤ 9.3 µm, Wm ≥ 4.5 µm, and covered with distinct warts; basidiocarp pale buff to brownish yellow; odor musty to faintly bean-like (fabaceous)
.............................................................................................. 25

25A. Branches and tips brownish light yellow, becoming tan yellow while aging; spores Lm = 8.8 µm (7.5–11 × 4–6 µm)
.......................................................................... Ramaria cartilaginea

25B. Branches and tips pale buff to light tan to coffee colored; spores Lm = 9.3 µm (8.3–10.4 × 4.7–5.8 µm)
..................................................................... Ramaria caulifloriformis

Key to Subgenus Laeticolora—species without clamped basidia

1A. Branches and apices red to scarlet; stipe context strongly and rapidly amyloid; spores = 8.3 ´ 4 µm (7–10 ´ 3–5 µm)
............................................................................................. R. stuntzii

1B. Branches and apices not red or, if red, stipe context not amyloid
............................................................................................................ 2

2A. Branches white to cream with brightly (more intensely) colored apices (orange, pink, red, fleshy beige or fleshy-pink)
................................................................................................... 3

2B. Branches usually more brightly colored with yellow or concolorous apices
................................................................................................... 4

3A. Autumnal; radially sectioned stipe lacking a brown band of contextual hyphae; spore Lm = 8.44 µm (6.8–10.1 ´ 4.0–5.0 µm)
........................................................................................ R. botrytoides

3B. Vernal; brown band of brown contextual hyphae visible in radially sectioned stipe; spore Lm = 9.95 µm (8.3–12.6 ´ 2.9–4.0 µm)
........................................................................................... R. coulterae

4A. Stipe flesh moderately amyloid; basidiocarp with a disagreeable odor (of coal tar), very large overall, and pale yellow to cream colored; spore Lm = 9.10 µm (7.9–10.4 ´ 3.6–4.3 µm)
...................................................................................... R. foetida

4B. Stipe flesh either amyloid or non-amyloid, but basidiocarp and spores not as above
.................................................................................................... 4

5A. Basidiocarp cauliflower-like, yellowish-pink; stipe single, small, white below but yellow at substrate level; stipe flesh solid, white-marbled, firm-gelatinous to hard-rubbery, watery when fresh; major branches connate from base, pale salmon or pale orange to light pinkish cinnamon; tips concolorous with branches or pallid yellow; spore Lm = 10.06 µm (9.0–11.2 ´ 4.7–6.1 µm)
.......................................................................................... R. verlotensis

5B. Not as above
............................................................................................................. 6

6A. Stipe with a ‘rusty root’ (containing a band of brown contextual hyphae) visible in a radially sectioned stipe; stipe flesh turning instantly blue-green in ferric salts (FSW); spores = 9.5 ´ 4.6 µm (8–11 ´ 4–6 µm)
.......................................................................... R. celerivirescens

6B. Stipe lacking brown contextual hyphae in radially sectioned stipe base; stipe flesh non-reactive with FSW
................................................................................................... 7

7A. Basidiocarp up to 4 cm tall; stipe fasciculate, slender to 4 mm thick; branches sparingly branched, flesh colored, usually hollow, brittle; apices clear yellow to pale orange-yellow to pale ochraceous salmon; spore Lm = 9.94 µm (8.9–11.1 ´ 5.0–6.1 µm)
....................................................................................... R. raveneliana

7B. Basidiocarp larger than 4 cm; otherwise, not as above
............................................................................................................ 8

8A. Basidiocarps pale to dingy colored (brown, violet-brown, orange-brown, or white to cream), often brunnescent
................................................................................................... 9

8B. Basidiocarps mostly brightly colored (yellow, orange, red or salmon colored), bruising reactions various
................................................................................................. 12

9A. Vernal; stipe single to compound (often fused in longitudinal section), massive; branches cinnamon to chocolate brown, never white; spore Lm = 9.85 µm (8.6–11.6 ´ 4.3–5.4 µm)
............................................................................................... R. marrii

9B. Autumnal; stipe mostly single to fasciculate (hardly or not fused), slender; branches white, brown to violaceous-brown
.......................................................................................................... 10

10A. Stipe flesh dull brown, streaky (like wood grain); branches tan to brown; spore Lm = 8.56 µm (7.2–10.1 ´ 4.7–6.1 µm)
....................................................... R. spinulosa var. diminutiva

10B. Stipe flesh white to off-white; branches white or drab (brownish violet); spore Lm ~10.0 µm
................................................................................................. 11

11A. Branches white to cream when immature (often tinged pinkish or purplish), soon fading during maturity to light brown; brunnescent; spore Lm = 10.1 µm (8–14 ´ 4–6 µm)
................................................................................... R. acrisiccescens

11B. Branches violet gray; spore Lm = 10.3 µm (9–13.5 ´ 4.5–7 µm)
............................................................................... R. fumosiavellanea

12A. Spores  > 8.5 µmor Wm < 4.5 µm, or not as described below
................................................................................................ 13

12B. Spores= 7.5 ´ 4.9 µm (6–10 ´ 4–6.5 µm); base a fascicle of steeply tapered to slightly bulbous bases covered in a white tomentum where buried; branches salmon to peach, frequently < 5mm diam.; apices light to maize yellow
............................................................................ R.conjunctipes

Key to R. conjunctipes varieties:

A. Base a fascicle of stringy, white stipes; sparsely branched above; fruiting bodies rarely taller than 10 cm
.................................................................  R. conjunctipes var. sparsiramosa

A. Base single to densely fasciculate; stipes not stringy; densely branched above; fruiting bodies up to 18 cm tall
.......................................................................... R. conjunctipes var. tsugensis

 

13A. Spore Lm > 12.0 µm; stipe context fleshy-fibrous; branches bright orange or salmon colored
........................................................................................................ 14

13B. Spore Lm generally < 12.0 µm, or if Lm ≥ 12.0 µm, stipe context cartilaginous to gelatinous (R. flavigelatinosa var. megalospora); branch coloration various
........................................................................................................ 15

14A. Wine-colored stains present on stipe and lower branches when collected; lower and upper branches pale red to salmon; spore Lm = 12.3 µm (10–14 ´ 3.5–5 µm)
.................................................................. R. rubribrunnescens

14B. Wine-colored stains lacking on stipe and lower branches; lower branches yellow, upper branches light to deep orange; spore Lm = 13.5 µm (10–18 ´ 4–6 µm)
.............................................................................. R. longispora

15A. Basidiocarps predominantly yellow
........................................................................................................ 16

15B. Basidiocarps showing orange, red to salmon branch colorations
........................................................................................................ 18

16A. Basidiocarp branching sparsely with rarely more than 3 ranks; stipe base compound to fasciculate; spore Lm = 9.9 µm (9–11.5 ´ 3.5–4.5 µm)
.......................................................................... R. synaptopoda

16B. Basidiocarp branching more frequently with 3 to 7 ranks; stipe base single to compound ............................................................... 17

17A. Stipe single or divided into thick stems and with extensive vinescent stains when collected; stipe context fleshy-fibrous; spore Lm = 9.4 µm (7–11 ´ 3.5–6 µm)
....................................................................................... R. rubiginosa

17B. Stipe compound or sub-compound, consisting of several to numerous connate stipes, occasional small to minute vinescent stains present; stipe context firmly gelatinous to cartilaginous
................................................................................ R. flavigelatinosa

Key to R. flavigelatinosa varieties:

A. Basidiocarp predominately yellow with orange or salmon colors in the upper branches due to the salmon-colored branch context
.......................................................................................................................  B

A. Basidiocarp entirely yellow; branch context yellow
...................................................................................................,.................... C

B. Spores = 9.6 ´4.1 µm (8–11 ´3.5–4.5 µm); stipe context firmly gelatinous (translucent white) when fresh
.................................................,.. R. flavigelatinosa var. carnisalmonea

B. Spores = 12 ´4.5 µm (9–15 ´4–6 µm); stipe context cartilaginous when fresh
..................................................,...  R. flavigelatinosa var. megalospora

C. Spores = 9.6 ´4.1 µm (8–11 ´3.5–6 µm); odor fabaceous or not distinctive; stipe context firmly gelatinous (translucent white) when fresh
............................................................... R. flavigelatinosa var. flavigelatinosa

C. Spores = 10 ´4.8 µm (8.5–13 ´3.5–6 µm); odor sweet; stipe context cartilaginous when fresh
........................................................................ R. flavigelatinosa var. fragrans

18A. Upper stipe and lower branches with a distinct yellow band; upper branches orange to salmon; stipe context gelatinous to cartilaginous or fleshy-fibrous
................................................................................................ 19

18B. Upper stipe and lower branches lacking a distinct yellow band; upper branches red to salmon colored; stipe context fleshy fibrous, neither gelatinous or cartilaginous
................................................................................................ 24

19A. Apices yellow     
......................................................................................................... 20

19B. Apices orange     
......................................................................................................... 22

20A. Branches with salmon to orange context and yellow colored surfaces; stipe compound to sub-compound, context firm-gelatinous to cartilaginous
....................................................... R. flavigelatinosa (see lead 17b)

20B. Branches with yellow context and salmon to apricot yellow colored surfaces; stipe single to compound; context subgelatinous to firm-gelatinous with a translucent to hyaline interior
................................................................................................. 21

21A. Stipe single; context firm-gelatinous with a translucent to hyaline interior surrounded by whitish exterior; spore Lm = 10.1 (9.4–11.2 ´ 4.0–5.0 µm)
...................................................................... R. hilaris var. olympiana

21B. Stipe single to compound, usually slender and rooting; stipe context subgelatinous; bruising dull violet; spore Lm = 9.3 µm (8–11 ´ 3.5–5 µm)
.................................................... R. gelatiniaurantia var. violeitingens

22A. Stipe context fleshy-fibrous; spore Lm ≥ 10.2 µm; vernal or autumnal
................................................................................................. 23

22B. Stipe context gelatinous to subgelatinous, marbled, translucent greyish-white alternating with waxy, opaque white areas; spore Lm = 9.3 µm (8–11 ´ 3.5–5 µm); autumnal
..................................... R. gelatiniaurantia var. gelatiniaurantia

23A. Stipe large to massive; vernal; spore Lm = 10.25 µm (8.6–11.5 ´ 3.6–4.3 µm)
....................................................................................... R. armeniaca                                      

23B. Base slender, single to compound; autumnal; spore Lm = 10.8 µm (8.5–14 ´ 3–5 µm)
........................................................................... R. aurantiisiccescens

24A. Spore Wm = 3.7 µm; spores finely ornamented; branches red; basidia content not conspicuously granular when stained with cotton blue
............................................................................................... 25

24B. Spore Wm ≥ 4.5 µm; spores distinctly ornamented; branches light red to peach to salmon; basidia content granular and densely cyanophilous in cotton blue
....................................................................... R. cyaneigranosa

Key to R. cyaneigranosa varieties:

A. Apices concolorous with branches, never yellow; internodes and general habit slender and conspicuously elongated; spore Lm = 9.2 µm (8–10 ´4–5 µm)
....................................................................... R. cyaneigranosa var. elongata

A. Apices dotted with yellow; internodes and general habit not conspicuously elongated; spore Lm ≥ 9.6 µm
........................................................................................................................ B

B. Branches light red; base single or sub-compound, thick or slightly bulbous; spore Lm = 11 µm (8.5–15 ´4–6 µm)
..................................................... R. cyaneigranosa var. cyaneigranosa

B. Branches salmon to peach; base single, steeply tapered, slender (covered by a white basal tomentum); spore Lm = 9.6 µm (7–11 ´3.5–6 µm)
............................................................  R. cyaneigranosa var. persicina

25A. Mature apices yellow; branches red, spore Lm = 9.9 µm (8–13 ´ 3–4.5 µm)
............................................................  R. araiospora var. araiospora

25B. Mature apices and branches both red; spore Lm = 9.8 µm (8–14 ´ 3–5 µm)
...................................................................  R. araiospora var. rubella

     

 

APPENDIX  

Table 1: Comparison of “red” colored Ramaria. 

Ramariaspecies	Stipe Flesh	Branchcolor	Apical color	Basidia	Spore length Average (range)	Spore Width Average (range)	Spore ornamentation
R. araiospora var. araiospora	Non-amyloid	Red to light red	Yellow	Without cyanophilous granules	9.9 µm (8-13)	3.7 µm (3-4.5)	Finely warted
R. araiospora var. rubella	Non-amyloid	Red	Red	Without cyanophilous granules	9.8 µm (8-14)	3.6 µm (3-5)	Finely warted
R. cyaneigranosa var. cyaneigranosa	Non-amyloid	Light red	Light red to red-yellow	Granular & cyanophilous	11.0 µm (8-15)	4.6 µm (4-6)	Small lobed warts
R. cyaneigranosa var. elongata	Non-amyloid	Pastel red to brown salmon	Red, never yellow	Granular & cyanophilous	9.2 µm (8-10)	4.5 µm (4-5)	Small lobed warts
R. cyaneigranosa  var. persicina	Non-amyloid	Salmon	Salmon	Granular & cyanophilous	9.6 µm (7-11)	4.7µm (3.5-6)	Small lobed warts
R. stuntzii	Quickly amyloid	Scarlet to orange-red	Scarlet	Granular & cyanophilous	8.3 µm (7-10)	4.0 µm (3-5)	Small lobed warts

 

 

Table 2: Comparison of non-clamped SubgenusLaeticolora species with a yellow color band on the lower stipe.

Ramaria species	Stipe context	Branch color	Branch context color	Apical color	Spore length Lm (range)	Spore width Wm (range)
R. armeniaca	fleshy fibrous	orange	white	orange	10.25 µm (8.6-11.5)	3.9  µm (3.6-4.3)
R. aurantiisiccescens	fleshy fibrous	light orange, apricot yellow	Sub-concolorous	dark orange	10.8 µm (8.5-14)	4.0 µm (3-5)
R.  flavigelatinosa  var. carnisalmonea	firm gelatinous	salmon to orange	salmon, orange	yellow	9.6 µm (8-11)	4.1 µm (3.5-4.5)
R. flavigelatinosa var. flavigelatinosa	firm gelatinous	yellow	yellow	yellow	9.6 µm (8-11)	4.1 µm (3.5-4.5)
R. flavigelatinosa  var.fragrans	cartilaginous	yellow	yellow	yellow	10.0 µm (8.5-13)	4.8 µm (3.5-6)
R. flavigelatinosa var.megalospora	cartilaginous	salmon to orange	salmon, orange	yellow	12.0 µm (9.7-12.6)	4.5 µm (4.3-5.4)
R. gelatiniaurantia var.gelatiniaurantia	definitely gelatinous	deep orange	yellow	orange	9.3 µm (8-11)	4.1 µm (3.5-5)
R. gelatiniaurantia var. violeitingens	sub-gelatinous	apricot yellow to salmon	yellow	yellow	9.3 µm (8-11)	4.1 µm (3.5-5)
R. hilaris var. olympiana	firm gelatinous, translucent	salmon, orange	yellow	yellow	10.1 µm (9.4-11.2)	4.4 µm (4.0-5.0)
R. longispora	fleshy fibrous	light to deep orange	concolorous	yellow	13.5 µm (10-18)	4.5 µm (4-6)
R. verlotensis	gelatinous matrix clearly evident	yellowish salmon	concolorous	lt yellow to concolorous	10.1 µm (9-11.2)	4.9 µm (4.7-6.1)

 

Table 3. Comparison of ‘Clamped’ subg. Ramaria and Laeticolora vs. ‘Non-clamped’ Subg. Laeticolora.

Predominant branch color	‘clamped’ Laeticolora & Ramaria	‘non-clamped’ Laeticolora
Red	–	R. araiospora R. cyaneigranosa 8 (vars; cyaneigranosa, elongata) R. stuntzii 1, 7
Orangeor Salmon	R. amyloidea 1, 2, 3, 7 R. cystidiophora var. anisata 7 R. distinctissima var. americana6, 8 R. formosa  8 R. gelatinosa var. oregonensis 7, 8 R. largentii 6, 8 R. leptoformosa R. maculatipes 1, 4 R. rubricarnata 1 R. sandaracina7	R. armeniaca 5 R. aurantiisiccescens, R. celerivirescens 1, 2, 3, 8 R. conjunctipes 7, 8 R. cyaneigranosa 8(vars; elongata, persicina) R. flavigelatinosa (vars; carnisalmonea, megalospora 6, 8) R. gelatiniaurantia R. hilaris var. olympiana R. longispora 6 R. raveneliana8 R. rubribrunnescens 4, 6 R. verlotensis 8
Yellow	R. cartilaginea 7, 8 R. cystidiophora (vars; cystidiophora 7, citronella, fabiolens, maculans 4, 6) R. flavobrunnescens var. aromatica R. magnipes 1, 5, 6 R. rasilispora 1, 5 R. rasilisporoides 1, 7 R. vinosimaculans 4, 6	R. flavigelatinosa (vars; flavigelatinosa, fragrans 8) R. foetida 1, 10 R. rubiginosa 4 R. synaptopoda 4
Cream	R. caulifloriformis 8 R. magnipes var. albidior 1, 5, 6 R. rasilispora var. scatesiana 1, 5 R. rubricarnata var. pallida 1, 6 R. thiersii 6 R. velocimutans 2, 3, 7 Subg. Ramaria: R. subviolacea 1, 6, 8, 9	R. acrisiccescens8
Cream with red to orange apices	Subgenus Ramaria: R. botrytis 1, 6, 8, 9 R. rubrievanescens 1, 6, 8, 9 R. rubripermanens 1, 6, 8, 9	Subgenus Laeticolora: R. botrytoides 7 R. coulterae 3
Brown	R. caulifloriformis 8 R. testaceoflava 2, 8	R. acrisiccescens 8 R. marrii8 R. spinulosa var. diminutiva7, 8
Purple	R. purpurissima var. purpurissima 8 R. violaceibrunnea8	R. fumosiavellanea 8

¹ Stipe tissue amyloid.

²Stipe flesh turning ‘green’ in ferric sulfate.

³ Stipe context with a ‘rusty-root’.

⁴Wine-red stains on stipe when collected.

⁵Spores smooth at 1000×.

⁶Average spore length ≥ 11.5 µm.

⁷ Average spore length ≤ 9.0 µm.

⁸ Average spore width ≥ 4.5 µm.

⁹ Spores striate.

¹⁰ Clamps rare.

Marr and Stuntz key to Subgenus Laeticolora.

(Ramaria of Western Washington, 1973). 

1A.Basidia basally clamped, true clamps frequent in the subhymenial and contextual hyphae of branches
............................................................................................................ 2

1B.Branches without basal clamps, true clamps rare in the subhymenial and contextual hyphae of branches
.......................................................................................................... 24

2A. Average spore length > 12.5µ, branches bright orange
................................................................................... R. largentii

2B. Average spore length < 12µ, branches variously colored
................................................................................................... 3

3A. Primordial branches violet, maturing brown; the violet areas of either fresh or dried specimens turning “Venetian red” (8D8) on application of 20% KOH or “maize yellow” (4A6) with 10% H2SO4
........................... R. fennica var. violaceibrunnea [R. violaceibrunnea]

3B. Not as above        
............................................................................................................ 4

4A. Fruiting bodies with all of the following characteristics: (1) average spore width 4.4µ or greater, (2) spores coarsely ornamented, and (3) branch sections reacting with α-napthol and guaiac
................................................................................................... 5

4B. Fruiting bodies without the above combination of characteristics
................................................................................................... 8

5A. Consistency of the fruiting body gelatinous or cartilaginous-brittle; not bruising noticeable with handling
............................................................................................................ 6

5B. Consistency fleshy-fibrous, slightly punky or pliable; bruising noticeably with handling
.............................................................................................................7

6A. Basidiocarp brownish orange, consistency very gelatinous, basidia containing cyanogranular protoplasm
.................................................... R. gelatinosa var. oregonensis

6B. Basidiocarps tannish yellow, consistency cartilaginous, basidial content not conspicuously granular when stained with cotton blue
............................................................................. R. cartilaginea

7A. Branches yellow to brown; spore E about 2.5 (E= avg. spore length/avg. spore width)
................................... R. testaceoflava var. brunnea [R. testaceoflava]

7B. Branches about “peach” (7A3-5) or slightly more reddish, apices yellow; spore E about 1.9
............................................................................................ R. formosa

8A. Context instantly turning blue-green on application of 10% Fe2(SO4)3; a band of brown contextual hyphae visible in a radially sectioned stipe
.................................................................................................. 9

8B. Not with the above combination of characteristics
................................................................................................ 10

9A. Branches about “salmon” (6A4); context of the stipe amyloid when fresh, in dried specimens the context immediately turning dark brown on application of Meltzer’s reagent
......................................................................................... R. amyloidea

9B. Branches white to pale yellow; context non-amyloid, not turning dark brown on application of Meltzer’s reagent to dried specimens
.................................................................................... R. velocimutans

10A. Spores narrowly cylindrical, smooth or nearly so; branches pale yellow, yellow, brownish or orange-yellow; context of the stipe often weakly amyloid
................................................................................................ 11

10B. Spores distinctly ornamented, although ornamentation may be fine; branches variously colored, yellow in some species
.................................................................................................13

11A. Average spore length greater than 10.5µ; stipe very large (7-14 × 4-6 cm); context of the stipe usually turning blue after direct application of guaiac
......................................................................................... R. magnipes

11B. Average spore length less than 10µ; stipe 3-6 × 2.5-5.5 cm; context of the stipe usually not turning blue after direct application of guaiac
......................................................................................................... 12

12A. Young branches dull “light orange” (5A4-5), maturing pale “grayish orange” (5B4-6)
..................................................... R. rasilispora var. rasilispora

12B. Young branches “yellow white” (4A2) to “light yellow” (4-5A3-4)

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

13A. Tomental covering of stipe well developed, white; branches yellow; acantho-dendroid gloeoplerous hyphae present in the peripheral context of the stipe
.......................................................................................................... 14

13B. Not with the above combination of characteristics
.......................................................................................................... 17

14A.  Consistency cartilagino-gelatinous, hyphal walls in the base gelatinizing; basidiocarps not bruising or staining
................................................................................................. 15

14B. Consistency fleshy-fibrous; basidiocarps brunnescent, rubribrunnescent, or scarcely bruising
................................................................................................. 16

15A. Odor strongly sweet, similar to anise; average spore length less than 8.5µ

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

15B. Odor fabaceous; average spore length greater than 9.0µ
............................................................. R. cystidiophora var. fabiolens

16A. Basidiocarps brunnescent if bruising; average spore length less than 11µ
................................................... R. cystidiophora var. citronella

16B. Basidiocarps rubribrunnescent; average spore length greater than 11µ
................................................... R. cystidiophora var. maculans

17A. Context of the stipe amyloid; branches with light reddish coloration about “salmon” (6A4), apices yellow, at least in youth
.......................................................................................................... 18

17B. Context of the stipe non-amyloid; branches variously colored
.......................................................................................................... 19

18A. Base and lower branches distinctly rubribrunnescent; branch sections not reacting with pyrogallol, α-napthol, guaiacol, phenol, and aniline
............................................................................. R. maculatipes

18B. Basidiocarps not bruising or staining; branch sections reacting with pyrogallol, α-napthol, guaiacol, phenol, and aniline
............................................................................ R. rubricarnata

19A. Fruiting bodies with distinct orange to light red coloration
.......................................................................................................... 20

19B. Fruiting bodies white, yellow or brownish yellow but lacking conspicuous orange to reddish colors.
.......................................................................................................... 23

20A. Average spore length greater than 10µ; branch sections reacting with α-napthol, guaiac, guaiacol, phenol, and aniline
........................................................................... R. leptoformosa

20B. Average spore length less than 9µ; branch sections not reacting with α-napthol, guaiac, guaiacol, phenol, and aniline
................................................................................................. 21

21A. Odor sweet, fragrant; apices distinctly yellow
................................................................. R. sandaracina var. euosma

21B. Odor when noticeable, fabaceous; apices concolorous with the branches, orange
.......................................................................................................... 22

22A. Basidiocarps broad, commonly wider than 8 cm, numerous elongated primary branches arising from a broad, compound, subgelatinous base, small basal primordial branch systems common
............................................... R. sandaracina var. chondrobasis

22B. Basidiocarps slender, usually less than 8cm wide, several primary branches arising from a single stipe, basal primordial branch systems infrequent
................................................ R. sandaracina var. sandaracina

23A. Basidiocarp vinescent or rubribrunnescent; branches white or light colored; average spore length greater than 11µ
................................................................................. R. vinosimaculans

23B. Basidiocarps not vinescent or rubribrunnescent; branches yellow; average spore length 11µ or less.
..................................................... R. flavobrunnescens var. aromatica

24A. Average spore length 12µ or greater; branches orange to red, apices concolorous or yellow.
................................................................................................. 25

24B. Average spore length 11.5µ or less, branches variously colored
................................................................................................. 26

25A. Base and lower branches rubribrunnescent; odor faintly sweet; spores finely ornamented to nearly smooth
.............................................................................  R. rubribrunnescens

25B. Base and lower branches not staining or bruising; odor not distinctive; spores distinctly ornamented with small cyanophilous warts
......................................................................................... R. longispora

26A. Branches darkly colored, “violet gray” (15-18D3) with a brownish component, apices light brown
....................................................................... R. fumosiavellanea

26B. Branches colored differently
................................................................................................. 27

27A. Context instantly turning blue-green with 10% Fe2(SO4)2, the treated area turning “dark violet” (18F6) during drying; context weakly amyloid; superficial hyphae of the sitpe brunnescent to rubribrunnescent; branches light orange, apices yellowish
................................................................................... R. celerivirescens

27B. Not with the above combination of characteristics
........................................................................................................... 28

28A. Branches predominantly yellow, cream or pale brown
................................................................................................. 29

28B. Branches predominantly orange or red
................................................................................................. 36

29A. Base fasciculate, primary axes numerous, slightly flattened, generally 1 cm diam or less, basal tomentum well developed, branching sparse, rarely more than 3 ranks; odor pungently sweet
..................................................................................... R. synaptopoda

29B. Base single or fasciculate, primary axes never numerous, frequently greater than 1 cm diam, more profusely branched than 3 ranks; odor when sweet rarely pungent
.......................................................................................................... 30

30A. Branches cream, flesh color, or pale brown, sometimes with a very faint pinkish tinge near the apices, base often brunnescent; apiculus often prominent
................................................................................................. 31

30B. Branches predominantly bright yellow, base rubribrunnescent or vinescent if staining; apiculus usually less than 1.5µ long
................................................................................................. 32

31A. Terminal branches club-shaped; the hymenium and subhymenium thickening; context instantly turning blue-green with 10% Fe2(SO4)2; gloeoplerous hyphae abundant
..................................................... R. claviramulata [R. celerivirescens]

31B. Terminal branches cylindrical; hymenium and sub-hymenium not thickening; context not reacting immediately with 10% Fe2(SO4)2; gloeoplerous hyphae abundant
................................................................................... R. acrisiccescens

32A. Conspicuous “oxblood (9E7) stains on base; consistency fleshy-fibrous; context [branch] reacting rapidly with 10% Fe²(SO₄)²
............................................................................... R. rubiginosa

32B. Base not rubribrunnescent; consistency cartilagino-gelatinous; context not immediately reacting with 10% Fe²(SO₄)²
................................................................................................ 33

33A. Context of the branches “salmon” (6A4) giving a pinkish cast to the yellow surface
................................................. R. flavigelatinosa var. carnisalmonea

33B. Context of the branches yellow
......................................................................................................... 34

34A. Odor slightly sweet; average width of spores greater than 4.5 µ
.................................................. R. flavigelatinosa var. fragrans

34B. Odor fabaceous or not distinctive; average width of spores less than 4.5 µ
................................................................................................ 35

35A. Average spore length greater than 10.5 µ
.................................................... R. flavigelatinosa var. megalospora

35B. Average spore length 10 µ or less
.................................................. R. flavigelatinosa var. flavigelatinosa

36A. Young branches and apices scarlet; context of tipe strongly amyloid
.................................................................................... R. stuntzii

36B. Not as above
................................................................................................ 37

37A. Average spore length less than 8.5 µ; base fasciculate, consisting of several to numerous, slender, primary axes
......................................................................................................... 38

37B. Average spore length greater than 9µ; habit of the basidiocarp not as above
......................................................................................................... 39

38A. Mature fruiting bodies up to 18 cm tall, branching in subequal intervals from 3-6 times from the several to numerous stipes in a fascicle
..................................................... R. conjunctipes var. tsugensis

38B. Mature fruiting bodies rarely taller than 10 cm, consisting of a dense fascicle of elongated, slender stipes, sparsely branching 1-3 times near the apices
.............................................. R. conjunctipes var. sparsiramosa

39A. Odor when distinctive fabaceous; consistency gelatinous or gelatino-cartilaginous; bruising dull violet or not at all
.......................................................................................................... 40

39B. Odor when distinctive musty or sweet; consistency fleshy fibrous; not bruising dull violet
.......................................................................................................... 42

40A. Branches yellowish salmon; lower nodes polychotomous, connation of branches common; average spore width greater than 4.5µ
................................................................................ R. verlotensis

40B. Branches more intensely colored; nodes more commonly dichotomous; average spore width less than 4.5µ
.................................................................................................. 41

41A. Branches bright orange, apices concolorous; base compound, broad, gelatinous; gloeoplerous hyphae present but not abundant [rare]; not vinescent
............................................... R. gelatiniaurantia var. gelatiniaurantia

41B. Branches salmon, apices yellow; base slender, tapered, subgelatinous; gloeoplerous hyphae abundant [prominent in base, rare in branches]; vinescent
.................................................... R. gelatiniaurantia var. violeitingens

42A. Average spore width greater than 4µ; branch sections turning reddish or violet brown with phenol and aniline
................................................................................................. 43

42B. Average spore width less than 4µ; branch sections not reacting significantly with phenol and aniline
................................................................................................. 46

43A. Basidial content granular and densely cyanophilous; branches peach, salmon, or red, apices concolorous or yellow
.......................................................................................................... 44

43B. Basidial content not conspicuously granular when stained with cotton blue; branches and apices intensely yellow-orange
............................................................................ R. aurantiisiccescens

44A. Mature apices concolorous with branches, primordial apices more intensely reddish; internodes and general habit slender and conspicuously elongated
.................................................. R. cyaneigranosa var. elongata

44B. Mature apices dotted with yellow; internodes and general habit not conspicuously elongated
................................................................................................ 45

45A. Base thick or slightly bulbous; branches light red
.................................................. R. cyaneigranosa var. cyaneigranosa

45B. Base steeply tapered, slender; branches salmon or peach
........................................................... R. cyaneigranosa var. persicina

46A.Mature apices yellow
..................................................... R. araiospora var. araiospora

46B.Mature apices red
........................................................... R. araiospora var. rubella

 

Marr and Stuntz key to subgenus Ramaria.

(Ramaria of Western Washington, 1973). 

1A. Average spore length of 20 spores rarely less than 13µ, range 11–24 × 3–6µ
........................................................................................................... 2

1B. Average spore length of 20 spores rarely exceeding 12.5, range 9–14 × 3.5–6µ
........................................................................................................... 4

 

2A. Terminal branches white, pale yellow, to light tan; branches compact or spreading; aroma pungent, sweet; context of stipe strongly amyloid
........................................................ R. strasseri [R. subviolacea]

2B. Terminal branches orange, reddish, or purplish; usually upper branches densely tufted on large primary branches or stipe; aroma faint or slightly sweet; context of stipe weakly amyloid
.................................................................................................. 3

 

3A. Terminal branches “light orange” (6A3–5) or a shade more brown
............................................................ R. botrytis var. aurantiiramosa

3B. Terminal branches “grayish magenta” (8–13B2–3)
......................................................................... R. botrytis var. botrytis

 

4A. Primordial apices “shell pink” (6–8A3), coloration lost during maturation and soon after collecting; fruiting bodies bruising “reddish brown” (9D4–5); average spore size 11.7 × 4.9µ, range 11–13 × 4–6µ
...................................................................... R. rubrievanescens

4B. Mature apices “dull red” (8–9B2–3), fruiting bodies not rubribrunnescent; average spore size 10.3 × 3.8µ, range 8–13 × 3.5–4.5µ
...................................................................... R. rubripermanens

 

Ronald H. Petersen and Catherine Scates key to spring Ramaria species of subgenus Laeticolora.

(Vernally Fruiting Taxa of Ramaria from the Pacific Northwest, 1988).

1A. Basidia without clamp connections
........................................................................................................... 2

1B. Basidia with clamp connections
........................................................................................................... 4

2A. Fruitbodies cinnamon tan to light chocolate brown; spores obscurely roughened
..................................................................................... R. marrii

2B. Fruitbodies not tan or brown
.................................................................................................. 3

3A.Young apices fleshy buff to dull red, fading to fleshy pink, with very tips often brown were exposed or bruised; branches ivory to fleshy-buff;
.......................................................................................... R. coulterae

3B. Branches and apices orange to bright orange; stipe flesh white, homogeneous; spores 8.6-11.5 (12.6) × 3.6-4.3 µm; northern Idaho [western Oregon]
........................................................................................ R. armeniaca

4A. Spores smooth at 1000x
.................................................................................................. 5

4B. Spores rough at 1000x
.................................................................................................. 8

5A. Stipe surface weakly brunnescent; stipe massive, usually with abortive branchlets
........................................................................................................... 6

5B. Stipe surface not brunnescent; stipe large to massive; apices usually knobby, dilated
........................................................................................................... 7

6A. Branches white to very pale yellow; apices greenish yellow, often with blush of pink where exposed; stipe massive, white, with abortive stumps; hymenium not reactive (except in iron salts); northern California.
........................................................... R. magnipes var. albidior

6B. Branches light clear yellow when young; apices bright yellow to chartreuse yellow, often pallid rosy pink where exposed; spores 9.4-13.3 × 3.2-5.0 µm (Lm = 11.5 µm)
....................................................... R. magnipes [var. magnipes]

7A. Branches buffy yellow, pale ochraceous yellow to fleshy buff when young; apices pastel chartreuse yellow; spores 8.3-11.5 × 3.6-4.3 µm (Lm = 9.95 µm)
............................................................... R. rasilispora var. rasilispora

7B. Branches ochraceous cream colored; apices pastel greenish when young; spores 9.4-11.9 × 3.2-4.3 µm (Lm = 10.6)
................................................................ R. rasilispora var. scatesiana

8A. Branch sections positive in FCL, PYR, ANO, GUA
.................................................................................................... 9

8B. Branch sections not macrochemically reactive (except FCL); stipe base rubescent; branches and branch flesh pale yellow; spores 11.2-14.0 × 4.3-5.0 µm (Lm = 12.4 µm)
......................................................................... R. vinosimaculans

9A. Branches and apices buffy cinnamon to fleshy tan; apices often discolored to brown; hymenium slowly brownish where cut; stipe flesh brittle, IKI negative; branch sections positive in FCL, PYR, ANO, GUA
.................................................................................. R. caulifloriformis

9B. Branches light yellow, often with pale salmon tint; apices yellow; hymenium brunnescent or not; branch sections macrochemically reactive or not
........................................................................................................... 10

10A. Branches cream color to light salmon; branch flesh bright to pallid salmon; spores 10.4-12.2 µm long (Lm = <11.5 µm); IKI weakly positive; SYR reaction slow
.................................................................................................. 11

10B. Branches dull pale yellow-ochre; apices clear yellow; spores 12-15 µm long (Lm = 13.5 µm); often under humus in gritty soil; stipe flesh IKI negative; SYR reaction rapid
...................................................................................... R. thiersii

11A. Spore Lm ca. 10 µm; branches pallid cream to salmon yellow; apices pale to light yellow
....................................................... R. rubricarnata [var. rubricarnata]

11B. Spore Lm = >11 µm; branches as above or more pallid
........................................................................................................... 12

 

12A. Branches salmon to salmon-yellow; branch flesh bright salmon; branches short, stocky
............................................................. R. rubricarnata var.verna

12B. Branches cream-colored to pinkish buff; branch flesh muted pinkish buff; branches elongate
.......................................................... R. rubricarnata var. pallida

Ramariaspecies included in keys

 

Subgenus Echinoramaria

Ramaria abietina(Pers.) Quél. 

Ramaria argenteaR.H. Petersen

Ramaria curta (Fr.) Schild

Ramaria eumorpha(P. Karst.) Corner 

Ramaria flaccida (Fr.) Bourdot 

Ramaria glaucoaromaticaR.H. Petersen 

Ramaria incognitaR.H. Petersen 

Ramaria mutabilisSchild & R.H. Petersen 

Ramaria myceliosa(Peck) Corner

Subgenus Lentoramaria

Ramaria apiculatavar. apiculata (Fr.) Donk 

Ramaria apiculatavar. brunnea R.H. Petersen

Ramaria apiculatavar. brunnea f. compacta (Bourdot & Galzin) R.H. Petersen

Ramaria concolor f.concolor (Peck) R.H. Petersen

Ramaria concolor f.fumida (Peck) R.H. Petersen

Ramariaconcolor f.marrii R.H. Petersen

Ramaria gracilis(Pers.) Quél.

Ramaria rainierensisMarr & D. E. Stuntz 

Ramaria rubellavar. blanda R.H. Petersen

Ramaria rubellavar. rubella (Schaeff.) R.H Petersen

Ramaria stricta(Pers.) Quèl. 

Ramaria suecica(Fr.) Donk

Ramariatsugina (Peck) Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Subgenus Ramaria

Ramaria botrytisvar. aurantiiramosa Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria botrytisvar. botrytis (Pers.) Ricken

Ramaria rubrievanescensMarr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria rubripermanens Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria subviolacea R.H. Petersen & Scates

Subgenus Laeticolora—species with clamped basidia

Ramaria amyloidea Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria cartilagineaMarr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria caulifloriformis(Leathers) Corner

Ramaria cystidiophoravar. anisata R.H. Petersen

Ramaria cystidiophoravar. citronella Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria cystidiophora var. cystidiophora Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria cystidiophoravar. fabiolens Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria cystidiophoravar. maculans Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria distinctissimavar. americanaR.H. Petersen

Ramaria flavobrunnescens var. aromatica Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria formosa (Pers.) Quel.

Ramaria gelatinosavar. oregonensis Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria largentii Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria leptoformosa Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria maculatipes Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria magnipesvar. albidior R.H. Petersen

Ramaria magnipesvar. magnipes Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria purpurissimavar. purpurissima R.H. Petersen & Scates

Ramaria rasilisporavar. rasilispora Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria rasilisporavar. scatesiana Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria rasilisporoidesR.L. Exeter

Ramaria rubricarnata var. pallida R.H. Petersen & Scates

Ramaria rubricarnatavar. rubricarnata Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria rubricarnata var. verna R.H. Petersen & Scates

Ramaria sandaracinavar. chondrobasis Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria sandaracinavar. euosma Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria sandaracina var. sandaracina Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria testaceoflava(Bres.) Corner

Ramaria thiersiiR.H. Petersen & Scates

Ramaria velocimutansMarr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria violaceibrunnea(Marr & D.E. Stuntz) R. H. Petersen

Ramaria vinosimaculans Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Subgenus Laeticolora—species with non-clamped basidia 

Ramaria acrisiccescens Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria araiosporavar.araiospora Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria araiospora var. rubella Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria armeniaca R.H. Petersen & Scates

Ramaria aurantiisiccescens Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria botrytoides(Peck) Corner

Ramaria celerivirescens Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria conjunctipesvar. sparsiramosa Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria  conjunctipesvar. tsugensis Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria coulteraeScates

Ramaria cyaneigranosavar. cyaneigranosa Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria cyaneigranosavar. elongata Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria cyaneigranosavar. persicina Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria flavigelatinosavar. carnisalmonea Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria flavigelatinosavar. flavigelatinosa Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria flavigelatinosavar. fragrans Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria flavigelatinosavar. megalospora Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria foetida R.H. Petersen

Ramaria fumosiavellaneaMarr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria gelatiniaurantiavar. gelatiniaurantia Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria gelatiniaurantiavar. violeitingens Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria hilarisvar. olympiana R.H. Petersen

Ramaria longispora Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria marriiScates

Ramaria raveneliana(Coker) R.H. Petersen

Ramaria rubiginosa Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria rubribrunnescens Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria spinulosavar. diminutiva R.H. Petersen

Ramaria stuntzii Marr

Ramaria synaptopoda Marr & D.E. Stuntz

Ramaria verlotensis Marr & D.E. Stuntz

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Lorelei Norvell and Efren Cázares for editing the keys. Thanks to Currie Marr and R.H. Petersen for support and allowing for the inclusion of their keys.