Sarah Brown
Coral mushrooms, also known as Crown-Tipped Coral mushrooms, are an edible variety of mushrooms named for their coral-like appearance. They are small to medium-sized mushrooms with very short stems and multiple thin branches growing upwards. They are usually found along the forest ground or at the bases of trees, especially near spruce trees, at high elevations. Coral mushrooms reproduce both sexually and asexually, with the latter being more commonly observed. Asexual reproduction can occur through laceration, fission, budding, or the use of loose rocks to spread the colony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types | Coral Mushrooms, Mushroom Corals, Crown-Tipped Coral Mushrooms |
| Appearance | Coral-like, oval shape, short stems, multiple thin branches, bright yellow or pale pinkish colours |
| Habitat | Forest ground, base of trees, reefs |
| Reproduction | Sexual, Asexual |
| Asexual Reproduction Methods | Laceration, Fission, Budding |
| Sexual Reproduction Method | Releasing egg and sperm into the water |
| Nutrition | Feed on coral foods, fish foods |
| Species | Ricordea, Discosoma, Rhodactis, Ramaria botrytis, Artomyces pyxidatus |
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What You'll Learn
Sexual reproduction
Mushroom corals reproduce both sexually and asexually, although asexual reproduction is more common in reef tanks. In the wild, corals participate in an annual 'coral mass spawning' event, where they synchronize the release of gametes (eggs and sperm) over a few days after a full moon. In aquariums, sexual reproduction is sporadic, but warmer water does seem to trigger it.
Mushroom corals exhibit sexual reproductive traits that are uncommon among stony corals. They display gonochorism (separate sexes), sequential hermaphroditism (producing eggs and sperm at different life stages), and the ability to change sex multiple times in both directions. While most coral species have a single mode of sexual reproduction, some species exhibit different reproductive modes in different locations. For example, in Okinawa, Japan, F. fungites reproduces through brooding (internal fertilization), while its Australian Great Barrier Reef counterparts reproduce through broadcast spawning (external fertilization).
During sexual reproduction, adult mushroom corals release eggs or sperm into the seawater when they spawn. When these unite in fertilization, a larval stage called a planula develops. The larva drifts with the currents until it settles on a reef surface and starts the cycle of polyp formation.
In addition to sexual reproduction, mushroom corals can also reproduce asexually through budding. During this process, the coral extends a small part of its foot or stalk away from its base and attaches to a rock or substrate. The tissue then detaches from its base, leaving a small piece of its foot or stalk to grow into a fully formed, genetically identical mushroom coral.
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Asexual reproduction
Mushroom corals can reproduce both sexually and asexually, although asexual reproduction is more common in captivity. Asexual reproduction in mushroom corals can occur in four ways:
Laceration
When mushroom corals move, they can leave a piece of themselves behind that will grow into a new individual. This is a natural process that can be accelerated by human intervention, such as using a scalpel to cut the coral in half.
Fission
When a mushroom coral gets large enough, it can split itself into two or more individuals.
Budding
Mushroom corals can form a soft tissue particle and shed it off to create another individual. This process involves the coral extending a small part of its foot or stalk away from its base, attaching to a rock or substrate, and then detaching from its base, leaving a small piece of its foot or stalk to grow into a fully formed, genetically identical mushroom coral.
Fragmentation
Also known as fragging or propagation, this method involves actively exploiting the coral's natural ability to produce clones. Humans can assist this process by cutting the coral with a scalpel, razor blade, or sharp knife.
In addition to these asexual reproduction methods, mushroom corals can also reproduce sexually by releasing eggs and sperm into the water, which then combine to form new individuals. However, this process is more difficult in captivity due to the presence of fish and filtration systems that can interfere with the eggs and larvae.
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Budding
Mushroom corals reproduce both sexually and asexually, although asexual reproduction is more common in reef tanks. One method of asexual reproduction is budding.
In the case of mushroom corals, the polyps are not attached to one another as they are in other types of corals. Young mushroom corals are attached to the reef framework by a limestone pedestal. When the polyp reaches a sufficient size, the pedestal breaks, and the mushroom coral then lives unattached with its mouth side up. Tissue remaining on the pedestal can grow to create another mushroom coral, which will also eventually break off.
A single pedestal can generate many mushroom corals in this way. This process is similar to the budding process in other types of corals, but the difference lies in the fact that mushroom coral polyps do not remain attached to one another.
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Coral mushroom growth
Coral mushrooms, also known as Crown-Tipped Coral mushrooms, are small to medium-sized mushrooms with short stems and multiple thin branches growing upwards. They are named for their coral-like appearance and are often found growing on fallen or dead hardwood trees, especially aspen, oak, poplar, and willow. These mushrooms are part of the “clavarioid fungi” group and are one of the few coral-like fungi that grow directly on wood. They are also found along the forest floor or at the bases of trees, particularly spruce trees, at elevations between 7,000 and 9,000 feet.
Coral mushrooms are typically available for foraging in early summer through fall, with their colour ranging from pale cream to tan and gradually turning more yellow with a slight pink hue as they mature. They have thick, dense, white bases and grow in clusters with yellow spores. Their colour, while noticeable, is not a reliable indicator of edibility, as there are many similar-looking toxic species. Therefore, it is recommended to only consume the white, beige, or yellow varieties, which are edible.
Coral mushrooms can be consumed raw but are more commonly cooked, as eating them raw can cause an upset stomach in some individuals. Before cooking, they should be thoroughly washed to remove dirt and debris lodged among their branches. Cooking methods include battering and frying as an appetizer, sautéing and serving with fish or seafood, pickling for later use, or using as a garnish in soups, stews, or stir-fries due to their delicate texture.
In addition to the wild coral mushrooms described above, there are also mushroom corals, which are a species of stony corals found in Hawaiian waters. These mushroom corals are named for their oval shape and radiating skeletal walls, giving them a mushroom-like appearance. Unlike most other Hawaiian corals, mushroom corals do not form colonies, and each coral is a single polyp. They are suspension feeders, using hair-like cilia to collect food particles from seawater and direct them towards their central mouth.
Mushroom corals can reproduce both sexually and asexually, although asexual reproduction is more commonly observed in captivity. Sexually, they release eggs and sperm into the seawater, which unite to form a larva that settles on a reef surface and develops into a polyp. Asexual reproduction can occur through laceration, where a piece of the coral is left behind as it moves, fission, where the coral splits into smaller parts, or budding, where it forms and sheds soft tissue particles. Additionally, mushroom corals can be propagated through cutting methods, such as using a scalpel or laying loose rocks near the colony to encourage spreading.
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Coral mushroom harvesting
Coral mushrooms are a group of fungi that resemble the intricate structures of underwater coral. They are found in a variety of environments, ranging from forest floors to decaying logs in deciduous forests. They are most commonly found in North America and Europe, particularly in the spring and fall months. They can be found at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet.
When harvesting coral mushrooms, it is important to use a gentle approach to prevent damage to the delicate mycelium network beneath the soil. Foragers should use a sharp knife or a long-pronged picking tool to cut or pluck the mushroom at its base, allowing the fruiting body to be removed without disturbing the mycelium. This technique helps maintain the fungi's ability to regenerate. It is recommended that foragers carry their harvest in a mesh bag or wicker basket, which helps spread spores and promote growth.
When selecting which coral mushrooms to forage, it is best to choose the larger, harder clusters and leave the smaller, flimsy bunches to continue growing. It is also important to inspect the mushrooms for any odd defects, bugs, and bug larvae. If there are too many bugs, it is recommended to cut the mushroom up, put some back in the hole, and spread it around the area. If the number of bugs is minimal, the mushroom can be dusted off and placed in a mesh bag.
After harvesting, coral mushrooms should be soaked in water for about ten minutes to remove dirt and debris. They can then be boiled for ten to fifteen minutes or until they are softer. After boiling, they should be rinsed again in running water to ensure all debris is removed.
It is important to note that not all coral mushrooms are edible, and some can be toxic. It is crucial to only consume mushrooms that have been properly identified as safe by seasoned foragers or mycologists. The ideal specimens for culinary use often have bright white or light tan colouring, as these are commonly distinguished from the brightly coloured toxic species.
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Frequently asked questions
Coral mushrooms reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexually, they release eggs and sperm into the water. Asexually, they can reproduce through laceration, fission, and budding.
When adult mushroom corals release eggs or sperm into the seawater, they unite in fertilization, creating a larval stage called a planula, which drifts along with the currents until it settles on a reef surface.
Asexual reproduction can occur through laceration, where a piece of the mushroom is left behind as it moves and grows into a new one. It can also occur through fission, where a large mushroom splits itself into two. Lastly, budding can occur, where a soft tissue particle is shed off to create another mushroom.
Coral mushrooms thrive in high-nutrient systems, which accelerates their growth and reproduction. Ensure that they are placed in desirable locations with their preferred lighting and flow. You can also try the rock-spreading technique, where you lay loose rocks around the colony and let it spread onto them, then replace the rocks with new ones.
