Ramaria flava

A common species under both deciduous trees and conifers, with profusely branched coralloid carpophores 10 to 18 cm across, of an eye-catching yellow color, with tips ending in two short spines; white flesh in cross section, lacking distinctive odor or taste.

Hyphal system monomitic, formed by cylindrical, hyaline hyphae, moderately thick-walled, 4 to 12 µm in diameter, septate and generally with simple septa (without clamp connections).

Cystidia absent.

Basidia clavate, 40 to 60 µm long, 8 to 10 µm wide, unlike tramal hyphae possessing basal clamp connections, generally four-spored.

Spores cylindrical-ellipsoidal, with a pointed end bearing the apiculus, thick-walled and verrucose, pale yellow under the microscope, 9.5 to 14 µm long, 3.5 to 5 µm wide, surface covered with warts, some interconnected to form short ridges, and inamyloid in Melzer's reagent.

A species very similar to its congener Ramaria flavescens, the latter more typical of beechwoods, with clamp connections on tramal hyphae and slightly smaller spores.