Bleeding coral is a species of mushroom from the coral family, which has a characteristically bushy and branched shape. The name comes from the mushroom's resemblance to coral found in seas and oceans.
The second part of the name, "bleeding coral," comes from the way it discolors, primarily at the root, turning red or pink.
This specimen looks somewhat like a cauliflower yellowed with age, but it doesn't taste like one. This mushroom is edible and has a pleasant smell and taste, but older fruiting bodies are bitter. Due to its rarity and threat of extinction, collecting it is not recommended.
The young fruiting body is usually white or cream in color. Its tips grow from a relatively thick stem, which often turns pink or red when cut and is hollow.
The whitish flesh is crisp and tender, and because the mushroom prefers moist conditions, it is also juicy.
The fungus can also be found in Europe on limestone soils, in beech, pine, and spruce forests with high humidity. It prefers to grow in moss. It is also found in Asia and North America.
