Ramaria formosa

Ramaria formosa, the beautiful coral fungus, is a striking branched, coral-like fungus that fruits on the forest floor in coniferous and mixed woodland. Despite its attractive appearance, it is a poisonous species: eating it causes gastrointestinal upset including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. It should never be foraged for food.

History

The species epithet formosa derives from the Latin for beautiful, a reference to its ornate, candelabra-like form. Ramaria formosa has long been noted in field guides as a cautionary example of an eye-catching but inedible fungus, frequently cited alongside edible corals such as Ramaria botrytis to warn foragers against assuming all coral fungi are safe.

Overview

Ramaria formosa forms upright, much-branched fruiting bodies that arise from a thick basal stem, with the tips often differently colored from the main branches. Ecologically it functions as a decomposer of forest litter and woody debris, contributing to nutrient cycling. It is not cultivated. Because several Ramaria species are difficult to distinguish in the field and some are toxic, the genus as a whole is best treated with caution by foragers.