Nebraskaland

November 2020 • Nebraskaland 45 was cast in a soft and more natural light than if I had used my camera's fl ash. That day, the refl ector came in handy on several photo opportunities. Thank goodness I had remembered to throw it in the car that morning. Nebraska's Coral Mushrooms Two words best describe the bizarrely-shaped coral mushrooms — "really cool." Their name, no surprise, refl ects their erect, branching fruiting bodies' resemblance to coral. Spores develop on the surface of the branches, whereas on typical toadstool-shaped mushrooms, the spores develop in gills or pores on their lower surface. Chance Brueggemann, ecologist and resident mushroom expert stationed at Indian Cave State Park, knows of three species of coral mushrooms that grow in eastern Nebraska. He said the crown-tipped coral is the most common of the species. This spring-through-fall growing mushroom is distinguished by its whitish to yellowish, loosely clumped branches that are crowned with a cup-like depression bordered with three to six points. Though never abundant, he observes them most often growing on rotting hardwood logs near creeks, but also on logs in moist, wooded ravines higher on slopes. The crowned-tipped coral is edible and is said to have a mild, woodsy fl avor with a slight peppery aftertaste. Mushroom connoisseurs prefer it as a salad garnish, in soups, crispy fried and made into croutons. Brueggemann has tried them once. "It had a strange, chewy, noodle-like texture, but I sautéed it in too much butter and drowned the fl avor." He is committed to continue his culinary experimentation with the mushroom. Also found in our state, the strict-branch coral grows on or near dead stumps, logs and branches of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Its light tan-to-brown branches form a tight upright clump. Interestingly, the form that grows on hardwoods tends to be a bit more orange in color and is less bushy than the form that grows on conifers. Brueggemann said these might be two distinct, but similar-appearing species. The mushroom's pungent, anise-like odor and bitter taste make it poor table fare. The handsome clavaria is found in Asia, Europe and North America, including Nebraska. It is identifi ed by its thick base and pinkish branches that fade to yellow with age. Unlike our other corals, it grows from soil, not on dead wood, under deciduous and occasionally conifer trees. Mushroom hunters beware: This species is slightly toxic, and if consumed, can result in a stomach ache and other associated, unpleasant issues. Though toxic, it is used in traditional medicines in parts of the world. Brueggemann is on the lookout for the magenta coral, which grows nearby on the wooded Missouri River bluff s in Iowa, but has never been found in Nebraska. One mushroom expert's image of this elegant mushroom is of a "tiny set of purple antlers, cast aside on a bed of moss under oaks and hickories." "It would be a great fi nd," said Brueggemann. "I just need to be at the right place at the right time." N A refl ector is used to redirect sunlight onto a pumpkin fl ower in the author's garden. The strict-branch coral (Ramaria stricta). Clavaria zollingeri is commonly known as the violet or the magenta coral. SHUTTERSTOCK GETTY PHOTO BY GERRY STEINAUER

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