Several fruiting bodies of the rare golden coral fungus were found in the Kondinskie Lakes Nature Park in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Yugra’s nature supervision authority said.
The fungi were discovered in a young pine stand covered with green mosses and lichens. Ramaria aurea belongs to the Gomphaceae family. Its branched fruiting bodies range from bright gold to paler shades and may darken with age, while the flesh inside remains white.
The species is also known as golden ramaria, golden coral or golden coral fungus. In China, it is called “mushroom noodles.” The regional nature authority says it is rare across Russia’s temperate forest zone, prefers coniferous woodland and grows from July to October.
Officials advised inexperienced mushroom pickers not to collect it because it can be confused with other species that may pose health risks. Yugra’s Nature Supervision Department announced the find through its official channel on Max.