Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina is a species of club fungus that grows in clusters on the ground in wooded areas. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits from summer to fall, often in association with oak and pine trees. The fungus has bright orange to reddish-orange clubs that are 2-6 cm tall and 1-3 mm thick, with a cylindrical to club-shaped appearance. It is considered uncommon to rare in the region, but can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodland edges, clearings, and along trails.
Coral mushrooms Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina collected by people at mushroom walk of Gulf States Mycological Society (GSMS). Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary, Cleveland, Texas, November 3, 2018 Sam Houston National Forest, 394 FM 1375, New Waverly, TX 77358, USA
Orange spindle coral mushrooms (Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina) on a slope of a pine forest on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 23, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close-up of orange spindle coral mushrooms (Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina) on a slope of a pine forest on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 23, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Orange spindle coral mushrooms (Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina) on a slope near a swamp overgrown by cane on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 23, 2020 Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Orange spindle coral mushrooms (Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina) on black background on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, May 23, 2020
AI-generated summary of observations
Observations of Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina in East and Central Texas reveal its presence in various habitats. The fungus was found at Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary in Cleveland, Texas, during a mushroom walk on November 3, 2018. Further sightings occurred in Sam Houston National Forest, specifically on the Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail, on May 23, 2020. Here, it grew on slopes of pine forests, both near and away from swampy areas overgrown with cane. The mushrooms were typically orange in color and spindle-shaped, with some observations featuring close-up views to highlight their distinctive appearance. These findings suggest that Clavulinopsis aurantiocinnabarina can thrive in diverse environments within East and Central Texas, including forested slopes and areas adjacent to swamps. The species' vibrant orange coloration makes it stand out against its surroundings.