Clavaria zollingeri

Clavaria zollingeri
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Agaricales
Family:	Clavariaceae
Genus:	Clavaria
Species:	C. zollingeri
Binomial name
Clavaria zollingeri Lév. (1846)
Synonyms[2]
Clavaria lavendula Peck (1910)

Species of fungus

Violet coral Mycological characteristics
	Smooth hymenium
	No distinct cap
	Hymenium attachment is not applicable
	Lacks a stipe
	Spore print is white
	Ecology is saprotrophic
	Edibility is not recommended or inedible

Clavaria zollingeri, commonly known as the violet coral or the magenta coral, is a widely distributed species of fungus. It produces striking tubular, purple to pinkish-violet fruit bodies that grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) tall and 7 cm (2.8 in) wide. The extreme tips of the fragile, slender branches are usually rounded and brownish. A typical member of the clavarioid or club fungi, Clavaria zollingeri is saprobic, and so derives nutrients by breaking down organic matter. The fruit bodies are typically found growing on the ground in woodland litter, or in grasslands. Variations in branching and color can often be used to distinguish C. zollingeri from similarly colored coral fungi such as Alloclavaria purpurea and Clavulina amethystina, although microscopy is required to reliably identify the latter species.