vs Crested Coral

Clavulina amethystina compared with Clavulina coralloides

Key Differences

• is Data Deficient while Crested Coral is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Crested Coral
Kingdom same	Fungi (Fungi)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Cantharellales (Cantharellales)	Cantharellales (Cantharellales)
Family same	Hydnaceae	Hydnaceae
Genus same	Clavulina	Clavulina
Species	Clavulina amethystina	Clavulina coralloides

Evolutionary Relationship

and Crested Coral share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Clavulina.

Conservation Status

DD — Data Deficient

Crested Coral

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Crested Coral
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Crested Coral

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil).

Clavulina amethystina, commonly known as the Amethyst Coral Fungus or Violet Coral, is a distinctive branched coral fungus in the family Cantharellaceae, notable for its striking purple to violet coloration. The fruiting bodies are repeatedly branched, resembling coral or tiny antlers, and range in color from pale lilac to deep amethyst, though color can fade with age or exposure to light, shifting toward grayish-white. This species is found in deciduous and mixed forests across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, growing on soil and leaf litter in summer and autumn. Clavulina amethystina forms associations with forest trees, potentially functioning as an ectomycorrhizal partner, though the precise nature of its nutritional ecology remains under investigation. The flesh is fragile, white to pale lavender, and the spores are borne on the flattened tips of the branches. The Amethyst Coral Fungus is edible but of limited culinary interest due to its small size and somewhat bitter flavor when aged. It is easily identified by its distinctive color, though care should be taken not to confuse it with other coral fungi. The species is not currently threatened and is considered relatively common in its preferred mature forest habitats, though it may serve as an indicator of undisturbed soil communities.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇺🇸 United States