The specimens were a more pronounced yellow brown than in the photographs. 29 November 2020 Medstead, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Synonymns Ramaria roellinii Fruiting Body Multiply branched, upright, growing from a common base, pale yellow when young, becoming ochraceous brown with age especially at the base, rhizomorphs white, to about 4 cm high. On exposure to KOH solution the hymenium, but not the context, turns rapidly chestnut brown. Flesh Whitish, firm Smell Indistinct Taste Indistinct Season Late summer to early winter Distribution Very rare Habitat On soil with coniferous and deciduous trees Spore Print Yellow Microscopic Features Spores tear drop shaped (6-8) x (3-4.5) µm2, Q 1.7-2.2, decorated with short spines 0.2-0.5 µm long. Hyphal cords covered in star shaped crystals. Hyphal system monomitic, septa with clamps. Basidia slenderly club shaped, 4 spored. Edibility Inedible, possibly posionous Notes Identified using Fungi of Temperate Europe. See also Kříž M., Jindřich O., Kolařík M. (2019): Contribution to the knowledge of myco-biota of Central European dry grasslands: Phaeoclavulina clavarioides and Phaeoclavulina roellinii (Gomphales). - Czech Mycol. 71(2): 137-150. This species is almost identical to P. flaccida, with which it might be conspecific. It can be recognised by the colour change in response to KOH. There are several similar species including P. decurrens, which is associated with deciduous trees, and P. eumorpha, which has larger spores and irregular crystals on the rhizomorphs. 
29 November 2020 Medstead, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
Spores in Congo Red solution viewed with a x100 immersion objective. 29 November 2020 Medstead, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
Star shaped crystals on the rhizomorphs in Congo Red solution viewed with a x40 objective. 29 November 2020 Medstead, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
29 November 2020 Medstead, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
The reaction to KOH solution. 29 November 2020 Medstead, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |