Clavaria amoena

Description

Clavaria amoena is a species of coral fungus in the family Clavariaceae. This neat yellow mushroom contrasts brightly with its mossy substrate. It has been reported occasionally in Queensland but appears to be mainly southern in its distribution.

The species was first described by Zoll. & Moritzi, and got its current name from Corner 1950. Clavulinopsis amoena is part of the genus Clavulinopsis and the family “finger fungi”.

Common names: Yellow Coral Fungus.

Mushroom Identification

1. Fruiting Body

   Irregular club, single, in pairs, or in small groups; 25 – 50 × 3 – 5 mm; rugulose (lumpy); widening towards apex; yellow, yellow-brown; browning at apex.

2. Stipe

   Short and much paler area at the base of the club is sterile and might be described as a stipe.

3. Spore Print

   White.

4. Spores

   Subglobose; 5 – 7 × 4 – 5 μm; smooth.

5. Basidia

   Slender; 40 – 50 × 6 – 8 μm; two or four spored.

6. Substrate

   Growing on a mossy log.

7. Habitat

   Wet sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalypts.

Synonyms

1. Clavulinopsis amoena

2. Clavulinopsis aurantia

3. Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina f. amoena (Zoll. & Moritzi) R.H. Petersen 1968

4. Clavaria subargillacea S. Ito & S. Imai 1937

5. Clavaria cardinalis Boud. & Pat. 1888

6. Clavaria amoena Zoll. & Moritzi 1844

Photo sources:

Photo 1 - Author: Konan Farrelly-Horsfall (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Photo 2 - Author: Ian Dodd (kk) (www.kundabungkid.com) Australia (kundabungkid) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 3 - Author: Clavaria_amoena_7738.jpg: (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 4 - Author: Ian Dodd (kk) (www.kundabungkid.com) Australia (kundabungkid) (CC BY-SA 3.0)