Golden Spindles
Clavulinopsis fusiformis
The species name 'fusiformis' refers to their spindle-like shape, tapering at both the base and the tip like a spinning needle.
- Scientific name
- Clavulinopsis fusiformis
- Taxonomy
- Fungi › Basidiomycota › Agaricomycetes › Agaricales › Clavariaceae › Clavulinopsis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Unimproved mossy grasslands, old pastures, and deciduous woodland edges.
- Diet
- Saprobic; decomposes organic matter and leaf litter in the soil.
- Range
- Europe, North America, Asia
- Size
- 5 to 15 cm in height; typically grows in dense, fused clusters.
- Lifespan
- Fruiting bodies persist for 10-20 days; the underground mycelium can live for decades.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Intensive agriculture, use of chemical fertilizers, and loss of ancient grasslands.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch. Though not considered toxic, they are often bitter and easily confused with other yellow fungi; refrain from eating. Maintain a safe distance to avoid crushing the delicate soil structure.
Clavulinopsis fusiformis , commonly known as golden spindles , spindle-shaped yellow coral , or spindle-shaped fairy club , is a species of coral fungus in the family Clavariaceae.
Photo: naturalist charlie, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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