Western club coral (Clavariadelphus occidentalis) was misidentified as another species of the same family until 1989, when a mycologist decided to inspect it under a microscope. Although its fruitbodies look almost identical to other mushrooms thriving under conifers of the western United States, this species is unique in spore size and color.
Cap Diameter:
5 - 30 mm
Odor:
Mild, not particularly distinctive.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Western club coral
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Attributes of Western club coral
Cap Diameter
5 - 30 mm
Height
5 - 20 cm
Cap
5 - 30 mm wide; rounded at apex; yellowish at apex
Stem
5 - 20 cm high; cylindric or spindle shaped, becoming club shaped; pale yellowish to pale pinkish, darkening to pinkish; smooth; bruising cinnamon brown
Flesh
Whitish; becoming pale brownish on exposure to air
Spore Print Color
White
Odor
Mild, not particularly distinctive.
Body Color
Brown
Yellow
Red
Pink
Growth Form
Scattered, Gregarious
Nutrient Gathering
Mycorrhizal
Substrate
On soil
Occurence Habitats
Coniferous Woodland, Mixed Woodland
Species Status
Widely distributed on the West Coast from Alaska to Mexico
Endangered Species
No
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Habitat of Western club coral
The western club coral can be found in coniferous and mixed forests of western North America. It grows on the ground, in forest litter, probably feeding in a symbiotic relationship with the trees.
