The Auriscalpiaceae are a small family of wood-decaying basidiomycetes within the order Russulales, best known for producing toothed or spiny fruitbodies rather than gills or pores. Members of this family are typically tough, leathery, or corky, and grow on dead wood, where they contribute to the breakdown of lignocellulose.

Artomyces is a small genus of coral fungi, best known for its distinctive crown‑tipped branches. These fungi form upright, repeatedly branched fruitbodies that resemble miniature coral structures. They are typically found on well‑rotted wood, where they act as white‑rot saprotrophs.

Auriscalpium is a small but distinctive genus of hydnoid (toothed) fungi. Species in this genus are easily recognised by their small, dark, tough fruitbodies with a spiny underside and a central or eccentric stem.

1.  Fruitbodies robust, thick-branched, >100 mm tall; overall appearance stout or fleshy -2
1’. Fruitbodies slender, delicate, or fine-branched; usually <100 mm tall - 4

2.  Branches very thick, turgid, fleshy; fruitbody often 120-150 mm tall; overall architecture dense and heavy - Artomyces turgidus
2’. Branches not as thick; fruitbody robust but not heavy-fleshed - 3

3.  Branching pattern strongly “candelabra-like”; branches upright, evenly spaced, with symmetrical forks; overall shape tall and elegant - Artomyces candelabrum
3’. Branching pattern less symmetrical; branches somewhat irregular or tufted; fruitbody shorter and denser - Artomyces novae-zelandiae

4.  Fruitbodies very slender, delicate, with fine branches; typically 50-120 mm tall - 5
4’. Fruitbodies small, compact, or with unusually coloured branch tips - 6

5.  Branching fine and even; branch tips forming neat, small crowns; overall appearance graceful and lightly tufted - Artomyces colensoi
5’. Branching more irregular; crowns less symmetrical; fruitbody often looser and more open - Artomyces adrienneae

6.  Branch tips distinctly coloured (yellowish, orange-tinged, or peppery-brown); species with a “spiced” or warm-toned appearance - Artomyces austropiperatus
6’. Branch tips not distinctly coloured; species compact, pale, and small - Artomyces novae-zelandiae
(Note: included here again because small specimens may key out this way.)