commonly known fairy fingers white worm coral white species fungus family synonymous fungus type species genus typical member club fungi produces tubular white fruit bodies typically grow clusters fruit bodies reach dimensions tall thick saprobic species growing woodland litter old grassland widespread temperate regions reported australia south_africa fungus edible small white coral like fungi confused history taxonomy originally described denmark danish naturalist mycologist sanctioned latin epithet refers fruit bodies species swedish mycologist epithet meaning later synonym obsolete according principle priority frequently today names considered synonymous online database north_america fungus colloquially called fairy fingers white worm coral recommended english white british naturalist called worm club natural arrangement british plants description fruit bodies irregularly tubular smooth compressed fragile white tall thick typically grow dense clusters tip fruit body point yellow curve age distinct stalk evident short zone tissue base club hyphae flesh swollen wide lack clamp connections spores smooth ellipsoid measuring spores white deposit basidia spore bearing cells measure lack bases edibility edible fruit bodies fragile field guide says flesh delicate dissolve mouth odor compared distribution habitat species occurs europe north_america asia north_america common east rocky_mountains recorded australia south_africa reported arctic zone russia fungus grows woodland grassland moist soil presumed saprobic rotting fallen leaf litter dead grass stems fruit bodies tend grow groups clusters grow singly typically clusters similar species similar fungi simple white fruit bodies include equally widespread species typically grows singly small groups dense clusters distinguished basidia larger spores similar rare found southwestern central united_states distinguished field characteristics larger spores north american species similar stature reddish widespread species smaller fruit bodies occurs associated algae moist wood conservation status north_america called far common northern europe suite fungi standing fungi considered indicator species old grassland permanent grassland cultivated years threatened habitat europe species nonetheless national red list threatened fungi netherlands
Clavaria fragilis