Rare Artomyces pyxidatus – crown-tipped coral – at Strumpshaw Fen

During my daughter’s 2023 mycological survey at the Strumpshaw Fen woodland in the autumn 2023, she spotted a coral fungus at Basecamp which she identified as Artomyces pyxidatus by it’s macroscopic features. She also spotted this fungus at The Dell.

The photo below was taken during the survey in September 2023.

Since her survey, we have spotted this fungus a number of times on the same section of trunk – Strumpshaw Fen Slime Moulds & Fungi – 28th July 2024, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen – Fuligo septica & some fungi – September 2024 and RSPB Strumpshaw Fen Woodland Slime Moulds & Fungi – October 2024

On a visit to the reserve on the 8th June 2025, we noticed that this fungus’ fruiting bodies were growing again on the now rapidly decaying trunk. A moth event was concluding so we chatted with the staff about this rare fungus and they gave us permission to take one of the fruiting bodies away for identification by spore print.

We took the fruiting body below for identification.

We had previously discussed this fungus with the Norfolk Fungus Study Group and one of the other members had concurred that macroscopically it did look like Artomyces pyxidatus rather than the similar fungus Ramaria stricta, but that to be conclusive, a spore print was needed. If the spore print was white it would be Artomyces pyxidatus.

The daughter set up the fruiting body under a beaker so that it would not dry out too quickly.

And the next morning we had a white spore print!

We felt that spore print was unsatisfactory on the plastic lid so we placed the fungus directly on the black card.

Later in the evening.

And the next day.

According to the Norfolk Fungus Study Group, this is the second Norfolk record for Artomyces pyxidatus !