Ramaria botrytis (Pers.) Ricken
Family: Gomphaceae
Bjichu Kangru,  more...
Ramaria botrytis image
National Mushroom Centre  
Mata, M., D. Penjor and S. Pradham. 2010. Fungi of Bhutan. National Mushroom Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Thimphu, Bhutan.

Local name: Bjichu Kangru

Edibility: Edible

Habitat: Terrestrial and caespitose.

Description: Fruiting bodies:  Up to20 cm high and 3-20 cm wide, stocky, repeatedly short-branched. Branches: Densely packed, basal branches thick, smooth, and whitish pink, terminal branches crowded, short, and pink to red tips, cauliflower-like especially when young. Stem: 3-4 cm tall up to 4 cm wide, whitish pink, developing yellowish or brownish colours with maturity. Flesh: Whitish and firm. Spore Print: Yellowish brown.

Comments: It is distinguished by its large size and red to pinkish tips and tough gelatinous fleshy branches which fade in age. Close relatives include Ramaria strasseri, which also has a large massive base and longitudinally striate spores, but it is more yellowish to tan in colour.