Artomyces turgidus
(Lév.) Jülich
Description:
Artomyces turgidus is a robust, coral‑like fungus native to New Zealand, forming densely branched, upright clusters with the characteristic crown‑tipped branch ends typical of the genus Artomyces. Compared with A. colensoi, this species is larger, thicker, and more turgid, with a noticeably stout, fleshy structure. It grows on well‑rotted wood, usually in mature native forest.

Fruitbody: Dense, coral‑like masses 80-200mm tall, often forming large, bushy clusters.
Branches: Thick, fleshy, repeatedly forked; branch tips end in a small crown of 3-6 points, the defining feature of Artomyces.
Colour: Cream, buff, or pale ochre when fresh; may darken slightly with age.
Texture: Firm and turgid when moist; becoming brittle when dry.
Base: Broad and well‑developed, attached to deeply decayed wood.
Common name: None
Found: Native Forest
Substrate: On well-rotted logs.
Season: Autumn
Height: 80-200 mm
Width: 3 mm
Edible: No
Spore: Smooth, hyaline, cylindrical to narrowly ellipsoid.
Basidia: 4 spored, clavate.
Hyphae: Monomitic with clamp connections
Cystidia: Absent.
Macro images:
Artomyces turgidus
Scale bar
Scale= 8.5 mm.
 
Artomyces turgidus
Scale bar
Scale= 10 mm.
 
Artomyces turgidus
Scale bar
Scale= 12 mm.
 
Artomyces turgidus
Scale bar
Scale= 10 mm.
 
The Hidden Forest
Forest Fungi