Ramaria rasilispora var. scatesiana
Ramaria of Western Washington p. 109. 1973.
Common Name: none
Fruiting body 7.0-15.0 cm tall, 7.0-14.0 cm broad, arising from a robust stipe, comprising one-third to one-half the total height; branching pattern compact, the tips very short; surface of branches glabrous, whitish, the tips cream-yellow, in age and with drying, becoming cream-buff overall; context fleshy-fibrous; odor and taste mild.
Stipe up to 8.0 cm tall, 7.0 cm broad, tapered below; surface glabrous, whitish; context white, firm, unchanging.
Spores 7.5-10.0 x 3.0-3.5 µm, cylindrical in face-view and profile, the latter slightly inequilateral, smooth, thin-walled, hilar appendage well-developed, inamyloid; spore deposit not seen.
Gregarious, often in lines or arcs in duff of montane conifers; fruiting in late spring; common.
Edible and good, but see "comments."
This pale-yellow coral of montane regions is found commonly in the spring. The cauliflower-like fruiting bodies are edible, but infrequently collected for the table because of adhering dirt and debris. Two varieties are known, Ramaria rasilispora var. scatesiana, described above, and Ramaria rasilispora var. rasilispora which has more yellowish to yellowish-orange branches. Another yellowish, closely related coral is Ramaria magnipes. It also fruits in the spring, sometimes with Ramaria rasilispora, and is told apart by its larger size and spores.
Desjardin, D.E., Wood, M.G. & Stevens, F.A. (2015). California Mushrooms: The Comprehensive Identification Guide. Timber Press: Portland, OR. 560 p.
Exeter, R.L., Norvell, L. & Cázares, E. (2006). Ramaria of the Pacific Northwestern United States. United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management: Salem, OR. 157 p.
Marr, C.D. & Stuntz, D.E. (1973). Ramaria of Western Washington (Bibliotheca Mycologica, Band 38). J. Cramer: Vaduz, Liechtenstein. 232 p. (Protologue)
