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Clavulina rugose is a rare and little-known mushroom of the Clavulinaceae family. Its second name - whitish coral - it got due to its similarity in appearance with a marine polyp. It is important to find out if this type of mushroom can be eaten, how to distinguish it from twins.
What do clavulins look like wrinkled?
Outwardly, clavulina looks like white coral. In shape, it resembles a bush or deer horns weakly branched from the base.
The stem of the mushroom is not pronounced. The fruit body reaches 5-8 cm in height, rarely grows to 15. Consists of several wrinkled or smooth branches 0.4 cm thick. They can be horn-shaped or sinuous, slightly flattened, rarely hollow inside. In young specimens, the ends of the branches are pointed, then they become rounded, clavate, obtuse, sometimes jagged. The color of the fruit body is white or cream, less often has a yellowish tint, brownish at the base. When the mushroom dries up, it darkens, becoming ocher yellow. The flesh of clavulin is light, brittle, practically odorless.
The spores are white or creamy, ellipsoidal and of medium size.
Where wrinkled clavulins grow
Whitish coral is widespread in Russia, in the North Caucasus, in Kazakhstan, in the countries of Western Europe. Grows in coniferous forests, on mosses. Occurs in single specimens or in small groups - 2-3 pieces each.
Fruiting from the second half of August to mid-October. In dry times, fruiting bodies are not formed.
Is it possible to eat wrinkled clavulins
It is considered a conditionally edible species, belongs to the fourth flavor category. The gastronomic value of the whitish coral is low, therefore it is rarely harvested.
How to tell the difference between wrinkled clavulins
The whitish coral has no poisonous counterparts.
It can be confused with several related species.
Clavulina ash gray
Fruit bodies reach a height of 11 cm. They are erect, branching strongly from the very base. The color of young mushrooms is white, at maturity it changes to ash gray. The branches can be wrinkled or smooth, sometimes have longitudinal grooves, at the ends, first sharp, then blunt. The pulp is fragile, fibrous, whitish. Grows in moist deciduous forests, mainly under oak trees. Occurs singly or in small groups. Fruiting in late summer, early autumn. It belongs to the edible species.
Clavulina coral
Another name is the crested horn. It differs from its relative in lesser height and greater thickness. It grows up to 2-6 cm, width at the base reaches 1 cm. It has many branches, which split at the ends into short thin denticles resembling a comb. Spore powder is white. The color of the fruit body is light, buffy, grayish at the ends, sometimes with a lilac tint and even blackish.The pores are smooth, broadly elliptical. The pulp is brittle, soft, has almost no taste and smell.
Grows in large groups in different forests, often forming rings. Clavulina coral is a worldwide but little-known mushroom. In a number of sources, it is classified as conditionally edible with low taste. It is not accepted to collect it for consumption. According to other sources, this mushroom is inedible, it has a bitter taste.
Conclusion
Clavulina rugosa has an exotic appearance due to its resemblance to corals. It differs from other similar mushrooms in less bushiness and is often similar to the horns of animals. In some countries, for example, in China, it is used in traditional medicine. A number of cosmetics companies include clavulin in anti-aging products.
