Ramaria rubricarnata var. verna
Mycotaxon 33: 135. 1988.
Common Name: none
For descriptions see Exeter et al. & 'California Mushrooms'.
Solitary to scattered in soil under conifers (fir and pine); uncommon, fruiting in spring in montane conifer forests in the Sierra Nevada.
Unknown.
Ramaria rubricarnata var. verna is distinguished from similarly colored species by a band of yellow on the upper stipe and lower branches, salmon-colored mid-branches with yellow tips, weakly amyloid stipe tissues, and vernal fruiting habit under fir and pine at high elevations. Ramaria rubricarnata var. pallida, which also fruits in the spring under conifers in the Sierra Nevada, differs only in having cream branches with a hint of pink, and pinkish buff branch context. Ramaria formosa lacks the yellow “belly band,” has inamyloid stipe tissues, and fruits in the fall.
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. (PDF)
Petersen, R.H. & Scates, C. (1988). Vernally fruiting taxa of Ramaria from the Pacific Northwest. Mycotaxon 33: 101-144. (Protologue)