Crown-Tipped Coral Fungus

Artomyces pyxidatus

''Artomyces pyxidatus'' is a coral fungus that is commonly called crown coral or crown-tipped coral fungus. Its most characteristic feature is the crown-like shape of the tips of its branches. The epithet ''pyxidatus'' means "box-like"—a reference to this shape.
Crown Tipped Coral Fungus (Artomyces pyxidatus) Growing on chert (on a covered root?) below mostly oak and hickory trees. At a dense mixed forest edge. https://www.jungledragon.com/image/103106/crown_tipped_coral_fungus_artomyces_pyxidatus.html Artomyces pyxidatus,Fall,Geotagged,United States

Distribution

''Artomyces pyxidatus'' can be observed throughout Northern Canada during the growing season. In Britain, it was recorded in 2011, almost 116 years after its previous reliable report, a collection made by mycologist Carleton Reale on 20 October 1886. It is widespread but uncommon in Western Europe.
Crown-Tipped Coral - Artomyces pyxidatus Habitat: Growing on hardwood Artomyces,Artomyces pyxidatus,Crown-Tipped Coral Fungus,Fall,Geotagged,United States,coral fungus,fungus

Habitat

The fungus produces its hard, coral-like fruiting bodies on growing wood. Basidia and basidiospores are produced on the surfaces of the branches.
Crown Coral - Artomyces pyxidatus White branches with pink hues; the tips are crowned with a shallow depression and 3-6 points. The entire fruiting body was only about 5 cm wide and smelled faintly of dirty potatoes. Growing on rotting wood. Artomyces,Artomyces pyxidatus,Clavicorona pyxidata,Crown Coral,Geotagged,Summer,United States,coral fungus,crown coral,fungi,fungus

Uses

These fungi are considered edible when raw, although some people may experience gastrointestinal upset, especially after eating a large quantity. The raw fruiting bodies have a peppery taste that usually disappears when cooked.

The sesquiterpenes compounds pyxidatols A-C, tsuicoline E and omphadiol have been obtained from the liquid culture of this fungus.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomFungi
DivisionBasidiomycota
ClassAgaricomycetes
OrderRussulales
FamilyAuriscalpiaceae
GenusArtomyces
SpeciesA. pyxidatus
Photographed in
Canada
Netherlands
United States of America