Ramaria stricta
Fl. Myc. 464. 1888.
Common Name: none
Fruiting body up to 12 cm tall, 4-8 cm broad, composed of erect, more or less parallel branches with slender, pointed tips; surface glabrous, pinkish-buff, the branch tips pale-yellowish, becoming vinaceous-brown where bruised; context buff-brown, pliant, darkening when injured; odor indistinct to slightly aromatic, taste usually bitter.
Stipe 1-2 cm long, 0.5-1.5 cm broad, sometimes lacking; when present, pallid, tomentose, context tough, discoloring light-brown when bruised.
Spores 7-9.5 µm, ellipsoid, slightly warted; spore print not seen.
Solitary or in small groups on downed conifer/hardwood logs; fruiting from late fall to mid-winter.
Inedible; tough and often bitter.
Ramaria stricta is recognized by an upright stature, more or less parallel, dichotomous branching pattern and lignicolous habit. The typically pinkish-brown branches with slender pale-yellow tips are also important field characters. Several other coral fungi in California grow on wood or buried wood, but all differ either in color or structure.
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