Caulorhiza umbonata  (Peck) Lennox (1979)                           *All collections from California

This is one of the truly amazing species from California that appears to be almost endemic to the State. Associated mainly with Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), the rooting stipe tends to reach quite deep in order to connect to the tree's root tips. It appears that this species can switch hosts because I see it in a pure stand of California Bay (Umbellularia californica) where absolutely no Redwood is present even after careful investigation. This matches the reports of other sightings from the Pacific Northwest where no Redwood is present.

Young fruitbodies remind of Phaeocollybia

Patch under California Bay (Umbellularia californica)