Alloclavaria purpurea is a coral fungus commonly known as the purple coral, or the purple fairy club. Formerly known as Clavaria purpurea, it has been moved to its own genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 as a result of phylogenetic analysis.

Description

The fruiting body of Alloclavaria purpurea is made of numerous slender cylindrical spindles that may grow to a height of 12 centimetres (4.7 in), with individual spindles being 2–6 millimeters thick. The color is purple or lavender, although the color fades in older specimens. The spore print

Spore print

thumb|300px|right|Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print...

is white. It is reported to be edible. Fruit bodies are found in spruce-fir forests.

External links

• Index Fungorum
• Roger's Mushrooms Description
• Medicinal Mushrooms Description and medicinal properties