# Coral Fungi (*ramaria*)

Coral Fungi look like colorful underwater coral but grow on the forest floor! They come in many shapes and colors, making them exciting to find in nature.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Moist forest floors, often near decaying wood.
- **Also known as:** Branching Coral Fungus, Coral-like Fungus, Ramy Fungus

![Coral Fungi](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ramaria_araiospora_821823.jpg&width=800)

Photo: This image was created by user Ron Pastorino (Ronpast) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user her, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ramaria_araiospora_821823.jpg)

## Appearance

The Coral Fungi has a striking appearance, with upright, intricately branched structures resembling underwater coral or tiny miniature trees. It often comes in vibrant shades of yellow, white, pink, or purple, standing out against the forest floor.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes

## Interesting facts

- Even though they look like plants, coral fungi are more closely related to animals!
- One special kind, Ramaria flava, is collected and eaten as a tasty vegetable!
- Some types can grow so fast, they seem to appear overnight after a good rain!
- They don't have roots, but instead have an invisible network of threads underground!

## Special abilities

- **Nature's Recyclers:** Coral Fungi can break down dead wood and leaves because of special enzymes that help them return nutrients to the soil.
- **Forest Floor Sculptors:** Coral Fungi has a unique branching shape that helps it create tiny habitats and shelter for small insects and creatures.
- **Spore Sharpshooters:** Coral Fungi can launch millions of microscopic spores from its many branch tips, helping new fungi grow far away.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-20 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Late summer and fall
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** Red Oak (*Quercus rubra*) — Decomposes fallen leaves and wood.
- **Depends on:** [Sugar Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sugar-maple) (*Acer saccharum*) — Decomposes fallen leaves and wood.
- **Depends on:** [American Beech](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-beech) (*Fagus grandifolia*) — Decomposes fallen leaves and wood.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Do not touch or eat wild fungi unless you're with an adult who knows it's safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Coral Fungi?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Coral Fungi?

5-20 cm

### Is Coral Fungi edible?

edible

### Where is Coral Fungi usually found?

Moist forest floors, often near decaying wood.

### What does Coral Fungi grow on?

soil

### When is Coral Fungi in season?

Late summer and fall

### What color are Coral Fungi spores?

White

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Coral Fungi: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral-fungi)