# 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.

- **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.

## About

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.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/1f643837-ee5a-4f66-945f-0ff484bab95d
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55272
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clavulinopsis fusiformis
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/2275987/medium.jpg (naturalist charlie, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.