Clavaria zollingeri Lév. syn. Clavaria lavendula Pk. Fruit body 1.5-8cm high, sparingly or numerously branched, often from base, branches divided one to four times, round to somewhat flattened; deep amethyst or violet. Stem up to 3cm long, variable; paler, often grayish then yellowish with age. Flesh brittle. Spores broadly ellipsoid or subglobose, smooth, 4-7 x 3-5µ. Deposit white. Basidia mostly 4-spored. Habitat singly or more usually in groups or dense clusters on the ground in woods or under trees in the open. Not common. Found in northeastern North America. Season August. Not edible. Comment A cosmopolitan and very variable fungus sometimes confused with Clavulina amethvstina (Fr.) Donk, which has numerous branches, larger spores, and 2-spored basidia.