False Coral Fungus

IUCN Red List

NatureServe

Minnesota

not listed

Common and widespread. More common than true coral fungi.

Spring to fall

Deciduous or mixed woods

Although it looks like a coral fungus, microscopic features and recent DNA studies show that False Coral Fungus is a jelly fungus. It obtains its nutrients from the roots of hardwood trees (mycorrhizal) but does not penetrate individual cells within the root. It is found on the ground near hardwood trees in woods and forests.

The fruiting body is a 1¼″ to 4″ long, 2″ to 6″ wide cluster of tightly packed, branched stems. The branches are erect, flattened, fused together, leathery, and dry, not gelatinous. They are whitish to buff at first, often becoming green with algae as it ages.

The spore print is white.

It is edible but rubbery and unpalatable.

Sources: 4, 7, 24, 26, 29, 77.

True coral fungi are brittle, not leathery.

False Coral fungi along the Bluff Trail, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Long Meadow Lake Unit

noticed it growing under an oak in our backyard, Hennepin Co.

noticed it growing under an oak in our backyard, Hennepin Co.

Location: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Long Meadow Lake Unit

False Coral fungi along the Bluff Trail

Location: St Louis County

not sure what kind of coral mushroom this is.

Location: Moose Lake MN

Location: Hennepin Co.

noticed it growing under an oak in our backyard, Hennepin Co.

Location: Richmond, MN (Stearns County)

I found this fungus at our campground, growing in my hostas by an old railroad tie used for landscaping.