White Worm Coral
Clavaria vermicularis
Identification: Clavaria vermicularis (White Worm Coral)
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Key Features
- Pure white
- unbranched
- cylindrical fruiting bodies
- Tips are pointed or slightly blunt
- Rubbery or waxy texture when fresh
- Grows densely clustered (cespitose)
- Arising directly from soil or moss
Color:
Pure white to translucent white
Smell:
No distinctive smell
Growth Pattern:
Clustered
Environment:
Soil/moss/leaf litter
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat:
Damp ground in coniferous or mixed forests, lawns, and mossy areas
Distribution:
Cosmopolitan, common across North America, including the Pacific Northwest
Seasonality:
Autumn and early winter (wet season)
Economic Value
Market Demand:
None - non-commercial species
Price Range:
N/A
Commercial Use:
None
Similar Species
Crested Coral
Clavulina cristata
Key Differences:
- Fruiting body is highly branched, resembling coral
- Tips are often crested or jagged, not simple points
White Spindles
Clavaria fragilis
Key Differences:
- More fragile and brittle structure
- Often grows singly or in small groups, not dense clusters
Recommended Action
Do not consume. Document the specimen and leave it undisturbed.