They resemble marine coral, yet they grow on the forest floor. Ramaria species are upright and branching. The structures stand five to fifteen centimetres tall. They often form dense clusters. The colours vary widely. Yellow, pink, purple, brown, and even white appear in the undergrowth. It is a fungus that looks like something from the ocean. But it belongs to the leaf litter. The visual dissonance is striking. It demands attention. The branches are smooth or wrinkled. The tips are blunt. The flesh is tough and fibrous. A spore print reveals yellow to brown hues. Unlike many coral fungi that feed on wood, these grow on the soil. They are fungi of the ground, not the log. This distinction matters. It defines their ecological role. They do not decompose dead timber. They live in partnership with the living. Ramaria species are mycorrhizal. They form symbiotic relationships with tree roots. They cannot survive without their hosts. The fungus wraps its mycelium around the fine root tips of the tree. It exchanges water and minerals for carbohydrates. It is a partnership. A trade. A deal struck in the dark. The tree provides sugar. The fungus provides nutrients. Both benefit. Neither can easily exist without the other. The connection is underground. It is invisible. But it is vital. Some Ramaria species are edible. Others are bitter or poisonous. The edible ones have a mild, nutty flavour. But identification is difficult. Even experts struggle. Many species look similar. Some are toxic. Best to admire from a distance. This is not a mushroom for the beginner. The risk of confusion is high. The reward is low. The stomach upset is unpleasant. The bitterness is unappealing. The beauty is sufficient reward. In New Zealand forests, Ramaria corals are common in autumn. The bright colours make them easy to spot against the brown leaf litter. They are a favourite subject for nature photographers. They serve as a reminder. The forest floor is not just brown and green. It is also pink and yellow and purple. The vibrancy is unexpected. It adds depth to the landscape. The season brings them out. The rain triggers their emergence. The Maori name is not recorded. Another mycorrhizal fungus, hidden underground most of the year. It appears only in autumn to release spores. Then it disappears. The lack of a name reflects its status. It was not a resource. It was scenery. The observation was casual. The classification was broad. That is the Ramaria coral. Bright, branching, and mycorrhizal. A fungus that looks like ocean coral. It grows in leaf litter. It reminds us that the forest floor is more colourful than it first appears. It carries on.