commonly known violet coral coral widely distributed species fungus produces striking tubular purple pinkish violet fruit bodies grow tall wide extreme tips fragile slender branches usually rounded brownish typical member club fungi saprobic derives nutrients breaking organic matter fruit bodies typically found growing ground woodland litter variations branching color distinguish similarly colored coral fungi required reliably identify species taxonomy phylogeny species described scientifically french mycologist named german botanist researched genus collected type specimen java indonesia considered branching prominent characteristic separated species similar american published species collected massachusetts synonym mushroom commonly known violet coral coral classification genus placed subgenus grouping species clamp connections absent fruit body subgenus included type large scale molecular analysis phylogenetic limits fungi family published based analysis dna sequences shared greatest genetic similarity concept classification largely rejected analysis proposed found description coloring fruit bodies variable ranging violet violet shaded brown red colors variable fruit body instance outside branches brown inner branches center bundle light violet dried specimens lose coloring entirely sensitive light fruit body typically tall wide stem base short branching starts short distance ground surfaces fragile branches smooth dry branches thick typically rounded tips distinguishable odor taste somewhat like edible small quantities fragile fruit bodies limited value effect mass spores produced surface branches white light reveals additional details spores roughly spherical broadly elliptical dimensions clear long single large oil basidia spore bearing cells spored measure gradually widening apex similar species violet colored include branched appear toothed reliably distinguished spored basidia comparison spored basidia species branching reduced color usually purple australian coral similar appearance branch tips end short blunt processes color rest fruit body small violet colored coral fungus rarely taller mistaken small roughly spherical spores measuring habitat distribution fruit bodies grow groups clusters ground grassy spots usually near hardwood trees saprobic species nutrients breaking organic matter widespread distribution found australia new_zealand north_america south_america asia including india korea north_america distribution restricted northeastern regions continent rare europe listed threatened species denmark great_britain ireland indicator species help assess fungal diversity nutrient poor habitat threat recorded netherlands time compounds contains class proteins specific surface cells causing korean study demonstrated extracts fungus caused specific form involves white blood cells general blood widely affinity proteins
Clavaria zollingeri