General Information: Two very closely related species are to be found in similar localities and are equally as common; they are C. cristata (Fries) Schroeter with strongly branched white fruit-body, each branch ending in pinkish or lavender-white, divided, sharply pointed branchlets and C. cinerea (Fries) Schroeter with irregular greyish or dark grey branches with a flush of violaceous.
These three species are very closely related; in fact so many intermediates between the extreme morphological forms are known that some authorities have considered them simply forms of a single species. All these species lack cystidia.
rugosa—wrinkled, referring to the spore-bearing surface.
cristata—crested, referring to the branchlets.
cinerea—ash-grey, referring to the colour.
All these species are often found blackened by the growth of the microscopic fungus, Helminthosphaeria clavariae (Tulasne) Fuckel.
Illustrations: C. rugosa—LH 55; WD 1045. C. cristata—LH 55; NB 1535; WD 1042. C. cinerea—WD 1041.
Plate 56. Fleshy but firm fungi: Spores pale-coloured and borne on club-shaped fruit-bodies
![[Larger illustration]](#467779198995390083_illo167lg.png.id-7553071311234244283.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}