Artomyces pyxidatus

Scientific name:  Artomyces pyxidatus (Pers.) Julich
Derivation of name:  Pyxid- means "a small box" referring
to the boxlike (pyxidate) branch tips.
Synonyms:  Clavicorona pyxidata (Pers.) Donk; Clavaria
pyxidata Pers.
Common name(s):  Crown-tipped coral
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Russulales
Family:   Auriscalpiaceae
Occurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic; solitary or
clustered on wood of deciduous trees; June through
September.  
Dimensions: Fruitbody up to 10 cm tall and wide. 
Description: White to yellowish; highly branched,
candelabra-like from a common stalk-like base; branches
culminate in crown-like tips.
Edibility: Edible; peppery taste.
Comments: One of the few coral fungi that fruit on wood.
  
More information at TomVolkFungi.net:   


Figure 1. Crown-tipped coral on wood. Photo © Pam
Kaminski

Figure 2. Single coral arising from a common, stalk-like base.
Photo © David Work.

Figure 3. Note the tiers of branches. Photo © William
Roody

Figure 4. The branches culminate in distinctive crown-like
tips. Photo © Pam Kaminski

Figure 5. Crown-like tips. Photo © George Barron.

Figure 6. An enlargement of several pyxidate tips.
Photo © Gary Emberger.