Content
The crested hornbeam is a very beautiful fungus of the Clavulinaceae family, the Clavulina genus. Due to its unusual appearance, this specimen is also called coral clavulin.
Where do crested horns grow
Clavulina coral is a fairly common fungus that spans the continents of Eurasia and North America. It grows everywhere on the territory of Russia. Most often you can find the species in mixed, coniferous and less often deciduous forests. It is often found on rotting woody debris, fallen leaves, or plentifully grassy areas. Sometimes it grows in shrub areas outside the forest.
Clavulina coral can grow singly, and under favorable conditions - in large groups, ring-shaped or, forming bundles and having considerable sizes.
Fruiting - from the second half of summer (July) to mid-autumn (October). The peak is in August-September. Bears fruit abundantly annually, is not rare.
What do coral clavulins look like?
This is a very amazing mushroom that differs from other varieties in its special structure. Its fruit body has a branched structure with a clearly visible mushroom stem.
In height, the fruit body varies from 3 to 5 cm. In its shape it resembles a bush with branches growing almost parallel to each other, and with small cusps, where flat tops of a gray, almost black color can be seen at the ends.
The fruit body is light in color, white or cream, but specimens with a yellow and fawn tint can be found. Spore powder of white color, the spores themselves are broadly elliptical in shape with a smooth surface.
The leg is dense, small in height, most often not more than 2 cm, and also with a diameter of 1-2 cm. Its color corresponds to the fruiting body. The flesh on the cut is white, rather fragile and soft, without a definite odor. It has no taste when fresh.
Is it possible to eat crested horns
In fact, the crested hornbeam is almost never used in cooking due to its low gastronomic qualities. Therefore, in many sources it is noted that this mushroom belongs to a number of inedible ones. It has a bitter taste.
How to distinguish coral clavulins
The crested hornbeam is distinguished by a light color, closer to white or milky, and also by flat, scallop-like branches pointed at the ends.
The most similar mushroom is clavulina wrinkled, since it also has a white color, but in contrast to the coral, the ends of its branches are rounded. Refers to conditionally edible varieties.
Conclusion
The crested horncat is a rather interesting representative of the mushroom kingdom, but, despite its beautiful appearance, this specimen is deprived of taste.That is why mushroom pickers do not dare to collect this species, and practically do not eat it.
