The coral fungus Clavaria vermicularis, commonly known as fairy fingers.
Synonyms
This species is also known as Clavaria fragilis Holmsk.
Description
Sporocarp: the fruiting body, typically between 2-8 cm tall x 2-3 mm thick, is white in color (yellowish towards the tips), smooth, and fragile. Sporocarps are occasionally forked once, and often curved.
Spore print: white.
Spores: elliptical in shape, smooth, thin-walled, and 4.5-7 x 2.5-4.0 µm.
Edibility: edible but watery and insubstantial.
Habitat: this species usually found clustered in tufts growing on the ground in mixed woods or in grassy places; late-fall to mid-winter.
C. vermicularis is the type species of the genus Clavaria.
Common name
Fairy fingers
White spindles
White worm coral
Valkonuijakas (Finnish)
Clavaire vermiclée (French)
Weisse Keule (German)
Maskfingersvamp (Swedish)
Medicinal properties
Antitumor effects
An extract of the fruit bodies of C. vermicularis inhibited the growth of Sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich solid cancers in mice by 90% and 80%, respectively (Ohtsukaet al., 1973).
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Links
References
Ohtsuka S, Ueno S, Yoshikumi C, Hirose F, Ohmura Y, Wada T, Fujii T, Takahashi E.
Polysaccharides having an anticarcinogenic effect and a method of producing them from species of Basidiomycetes.
UK Patent 1331513, 26 September 1973.
How do you use, eat, fairy fingers. I am interested in the anti tumor benefits. I found a few patches of them while looking for chanterelles. I live in Jefferson county, Mo. Do you dry them?Saute?Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hi John,
It’s not really a mushroom you cook. If you eat it raw it will essentially just melt in your mouth due to how watery and fragile it is.