Scientific name
Artomyces pyxidatus
Description
Crown-tipped coral fungus is one of the coral mushrooms with a more faded hue. It is one of the simpler genera of coral fungus to differentiate and identify. The tips of its branches are crowns which is also the reason behind its name because it resembles coral on the bottom of the ocean. Coral fungi have erect branches coated with basidia, which create basidiospores. As a result, the surface area gets increased and the potential quantity of spores generated considerably increased. Spores are smooth and elliptical and colorless. Fruiting bodies range in size from 1 to 2.5 inches in width and 2 to 5 inches in height. They have thin and short stalks.
Habitat
Crown-tipped coral fungus grows in clusters and prefers to grow on deciduous trees and dead wood logs. They are native to Northern Canada.
Uses/Importance
Crown-Tipped Coral mushrooms are sensitive and delicate, smell earthy, and taste mildly woody scent with a faint pepper aftertaste. Protein, amino acids, copper, magnesium, potassium, and trace levels of copper are all present in it. Additionally, they have antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in addition to vital amino acids. Although they can be eaten raw, most people boil them instead since they can cause gastrointestinal problems. It goes great with vegetables and seafood including crabs, prawns, white fish, and shrimp.
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