Yes, it looks like a tiny enchanted bonfire – but it’s actually one of the most theatrical fungi hiding on Europe’s woodland stage: CLAVARIA ZOLLINGERI, also charmingly nicknamed the branched candlestick coral. 🕯️
I discovered this delicate beauty during one of my forest photo-breaks in Poland, right in the middle of a long-haul trucking route. I may not always have time to wander deep into the woods, but moments like this make every detour worth it. 🍂🚛
Its glowing orange tips, shaped like flickering flames, rise elegantly from a bed of moss and decaying wood, as if nature herself had planted a miniature candelabra among the leaves. No filters needed – just good light, a bit of luck, and eyes open wide.
🔎 What makes it special?
CLAVARIA ZOLLINGERI belongs to the Clavariaceae family – a group of fungi known for their coral-like, branching forms. Unlike many of its relatives, this species is considered rare across Europe and appears mostly in undisturbed, moist broadleaf forests, where dead wood is left to slowly return to the soil. It’s often found growing alone or in small clusters, and can be overlooked due to its small size – which makes every sighting feel like a hidden treasure.
🥄 Edibility? Better not. It’s not toxic, but it’s also not tasty – brittle, dry, and lacking culinary value. Let’s be honest: some mushrooms were simply made to be admired, not chewed. And this one is a little sculpture in its own right.
So here it is – my entry for this week’s #FungiFriday: a quiet forest moment captured on the road, through the lens of a wandering life.
Because even during a trucking schedule, there’s always time to stop for beauty.
📍 Poland
📸 Captured during a roadside forest stop, September 2025
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