Key Identification Features
- The underside of the cap holds the fertile spore-producing tissue called the hymenium, which usually has shallow, crowded wrinkles or veins that match the color of the cap surface or are paler.
- In North America, collections are still being re-catalogued to reflect the recent separation of 5 distinct species within the genus Polyozellus.
- Thelephora palmata has a distinctly unpleasant odor, described as similar to fetid garlic, old cabbage water, or overripe cheese.
- Darker species of Ramaria can be distinguished by their non-leathery flesh texture and pointy branch tips.
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