Foto © Marco Floriani - Sella Valsugana (Borgo Valsugana, TN), IX.1996
Clavariadelphus truncatus
(Quél.) Donk
It is not uncommon to find, in coniferous or mixed forests, this strange club-shaped fungus, with quite vivid colours. Its identification is very simple, and the only possibilities to misidentify it concern other species of the genus Calavriadelphus. Among these, however, C. truncatus is the only one with a truncate apex (hence its name); a bright red chemical reaction with KOH can be a very good aid to confirm its identity when in doubt. Another remarkable feature of this species is the sweet, sugary taste, which is rather unique in the European macromycete flora. (m.f.)
