Ramaria botrytis is an edible species of coral fungus in the family Gomphaceae. It is commonly known as the clustered coral, the pink-tipped coral mushroom, or the cauliflower coral. Its robust fruit body can grow up to 15 cm (6 in) in diameter and 20 cm (8 in) tall, and resembles some marine coral. Its dense branches, which originate from a stout, massive base, are swollen at the tips and divided into several small branchlets. The branches are initially whitish but age to buff or tan, with tips that are pink to reddish. The flesh is thick and white. The type species of the genus Ramaria, R. botrytis was first described scientifically in 1797 by mycologist Christiaan Hendrik Persoon. A widely distributed species, it is found in North America, North Africa, central and eastern Europe, Australia, and Asia. Fruit bodies of Ramaria botrytis are edible, and young specimens have a mild, fruity taste. Some authors warn of laxative effects in susceptible individuals. The fungus contains several bioactive compounds, and fruit bodies have antimicrobial activity against several species and strains of drug- resistant bacteria that cause disease in humans.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramaria_botrytis

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1903:

The first modern World Series, the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, opened. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1903_World_Series

1946:

Mensa, the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world, was formed in the United Kingdom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensa_International

1961:

Despite strong resistance from the U.S. Armed Forces, the Defense Intelligence Agency (seal pictured) was formed, becoming the country's main global military espionage organization. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Intelligence_Agency

1987:

Denmark became the first country to legalise civil unions between same-sex couples. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_Denmark

2005:

Terrorist suicide bombs exploded at two sites in Bali, Indonesia, killing twenty people and injuring over 120 others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Bali_bombings

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

wherenot: Other related places, wherever; as in, to Bagdad, China, and wherenot. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wherenot

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Jefferson refused to pin his hopes on the occasional success of honest and unambitious men; on the contrary, the great danger was that philosophers would be lulled into complacence by the accidental rise of a Franklin or a Washington. Any government which made the welfare of men depend on the character of their governors was an illusion.   --Daniel J. Boorstin https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Daniel_J._Boorstin