Species Focus - Violet Coral (Clavaria zollingeri)

Clavaria zollingeri is a Basidiomycete fungus in the family Clavariaceae, which includes the club and coral fungi: the ‘fairy clubs’. This beautiful fungus is always a delight to find and is unmistakeable when fresh. It is a surreal, deep-violet colour with a coral-like appearance due to the branching, shallow fork-tipped clubs arising from a thick base. Just a single individual is usually found, but occasionally a small group will occur, presumably arising from the same mycelium in the soil. It can grow up to 10cm tall and will fade to pale violet and then to a dull brown as it ages, when it could perhaps be mistaken for a clump of old Smoky Spindles (Clavaria fumosa). Despite its bright colour it can still be difficult to spot as it hunkers down in the grass.

Clavaria zollingeri is one of the ‘CHEGD’ species comprised of the Clavariaceae (Fairy Clubs), Hygrocybe (Waxcaps), Entolomataceae (Pinkgills), Geoglossaceae (Earthtongues) and Dermoloma (Crazed Caps), a group of fungi which are unrelated but require the same habitat. They are only found in old unimproved or semi-improved grasslands, which are becoming rare with agricultural improvement and pollution with a resultant decline in the occurrence of these species. Clavaria zollingeri is one of the rarest of them, only found in the highest quality, old grasslands. It is assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red Data List of threatened fungi in Europe, increasing our obligation to protect any populations in Wales.

Look out for Clavaria zollingeri in the autumn in suitable grassland, particularly where waxcaps and other CHEGD species are seen to be growing, although its rare occurrence means it will always be a chance, but very special find. Clavaria zollingeri can occur in a variety of sites and has been recorded in churchyards, parkland, lowlands and upland ffridd.

Please submit any records, ideally with photos, to the Cofnod ORS or the LERC Wales App.