Crown-tipped Coral Fungus

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This distinctive fungus is found throughout much of North America east of the Rocky Mountains. I have seen what I believe was the same species in north Florida near the Suwanee River.
These photos were taken at Taylor Hollow State Natural Area, a Nature Conservancy preserve in middle Tennessee.
This fungus has been classified as Clavicorona pyxidata, but has more recently been known as Artomyces pyxidatus.
Crown-tipped coral fungi are from 5-15cm (2-6 in.) tall and 2-10cm (3-4 to 4in.) wide, numerously branched, with crown-shaped tips with shallow cups and 3-6 points. The color is commonly white to pale yellow when young, darkening with maturity to a tan or pinkish hue.

Kingdom: Fungi
  Phylum: Basidiomycota
    Class: Agaricomycetes
      Order: Russulales
        Family: Auriscalpiaceae
          Genus: Artomyces
            Species: pyxidatus

For a taxonomic tree and links to other fungi posted on Wild Florida Photo see the Fungi at Wild Florida Photo page.