The fruitbodies of the red coral (Ramaria araiospora) look like they belong at the bottom of the ocean. Growing in clusters of branching tubes, it turns a bright red when young but fades into a pale pink or salmon color with advancing age. It is mainly found along the Pacific Northwest coast.
Cap Diameter:
2 - 10 cm
Odor:
Mildly mushroomy, sometimes likened to cabbage.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Red coral
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Attributes of Red coral
Cap Diameter
2 - 10 cm
Height
6 - 13 cm
Cap
2 - 10 cm wide
Stem
2 - 3 cm long by 1.5 - 2 cm thick; single, somewhat bulbous; red initially, fading to a lighter red in maturity, whitsh toward the base
Reported only from the Himalayas and certain parts of North America, the red coral can be found on the forest floor in mixed and coniferous forests. The species is probably mycorrhizal, meaning it grows in a symbiotic relationship with trees, helping it absorb water and nutrients while the tree provides the fungus with sugars and amino acids.
