Extract from Wikipedia article: Clavaria zollingeri, commonly known as the violet coral or the magenta coral, is a widely distributed species of fungus. It produces striking tubular, purple to pinkish-violet fruit bodies that grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) tall and 7 cm (2.8 in) wide. The extreme tips of the fragile, slender branches are usually rounded and brownish. A typical member of the clavarioid or club fungi, Clavaria zollingeri is saprobic, and so derives nutrients by breaking down organic matter. The fruit bodies are typically found growing on the ground in woodland litter, or in grasslands. Variations in branching and color can often be used to distinguish C. zollingeri from similarly colored coral fungi such as Alloclavaria purpurea and Clavulina amethystina, although microscopy is required to reliably identify the latter species.
Violet (magenta) coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) or may be Clavulina amethystina in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 28, 2018 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Side view of violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) or may be Clavulina amethystina in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 28, 2018 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Branches of violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) or may be Clavulina amethystina in Big Creek Scenic Area of Sam Houston National Forest. Shepherd, Texas, October 28, 2018 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA
Violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) on sandy soil near a small creek on a former Closed Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 1, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) in moss on sandy soil near a small creek in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 1, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Close-up of violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) in moss on sandy soil near a small creek in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 1, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Side view of violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) in moss on sandy soil near a small creek in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 1, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Upper view of violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) on white moss (Leucobryum albidum) on sandy soil near a small creek in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 1, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Violet coral mushrooms (Clavaria zollingeri) in wet moss on sandy soil near a trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 1, 2021 Iron Bridge Trail, College Station, TX 77845, USA