# Yellow Stagshorn (*Calocera*)

The Yellow Stagshorn looks like little yellow horns sticking out of the ground! This fun fungus often grows on decaying wood.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Decaying wood

![Yellow Stagshorn](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424788/objects/5157.jpg)

## Appearance

The Yellow Stagshorn is a bright yellow to orange-yellow fungus with a distinctively branched, coral-like appearance, resembling tiny antlers. Its surface is gelatinous, feeling rubbery and sticky when wet. This unique texture and shape make it easily recognizable among forest fungi.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Dacrymycetes
- **Order:** Dacrymycetales
- **Family:** Dacrymycetaceae
- **Genus:** Calocera

## Interesting facts

- It feels like squishy, rubbery jelly!
- Its scientific name means 'sticky beautiful horn!'
- Rain makes it swell up and glow bright yellow!
- Tiny bugs sometimes use it as a yummy snack!

## Special abilities

- **Wood Wiggler:** Yellow Stagshorn can break down dead wood because of special enzymes that help them recycle nutrients.
- **Sticky Shield:** Yellow Stagshorn has a jelly-like texture that helps them stay moist even when conditions are dry.
- **Rainy Revival:** Yellow Stagshorn can dry out and then re-absorb water to regain its shape because of its structure.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 2-10 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Growth Substrate:** wood
- **Season:** Late Summer to Autumn
- **Spore Color:** White

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** [Norway Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/norway-spruce) (*Picea abies*) — Decomposes its fallen wood
- **Depends on:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Breaks down dead branches

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Spore Producing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spore-producing): Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Yellow Stagshorn?

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 Yellow Stagshorn?

2-10 cm

### Is Yellow Stagshorn edible?

edible

### Where is Yellow Stagshorn usually found?

Decaying wood

### What does Yellow Stagshorn grow on?

wood

### When is Yellow Stagshorn in season?

Late Summer to Autumn

### What color are Yellow Stagshorn 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*)

---

Source: [Yellow Stagshorn: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-stagshorn)