The coral-shaped fruit bodies are relatively large, with dimensions of by . The large
stipe, which roots into the soil, is tapered to conical, measuring long by thick; The color of fresh fruit bodies ranges from light yellow to brownish pale orange (with white
flesh), while dried specimens tend to be paler, from pale yellow to grayish orange (with pale yellow flesh); the flesh has a slow and mild
amyloid reaction. The branches are compact (giving the fruit body a cauliflower-like appearance), with about six branches from the base. The primary branches are thick, up to in diameter, while the secondary branches are usually in the range of in diameter. Its flesh has a weakly aromatic or
fabaceous (bean-like) odor, and a weakly fabaceous or bitter taste. The dimensions of the
spores is in the range of 10–14 by 3–4.5 μm (averaging 11.8–3.7 μm). They are cylindrical, and smooth or with very fine
cyanophilous (
stainable with blue dyes) warts. The
basidia (spore-bearing cells) are club-shaped, two- or four-spored with
sterigmata up to 14 μm long, and measure 47–80 by 8–11 μm. The variety
albidior differs from the main type by having white to yellowish branches. Its spores are somewhat cylindrical to narrowly
ellipsoid, and range in size from 10.8–11.9 by 3.6–4.3 μm.
Ramaria obtusissima is somewhat similar in appearance. It can be distinguished from
R. magnipes by its smaller size, less intense fruit body color, and its shorter spores (9.5–11.5 by 3.5–4.0 μm).
R. highlandensis has larger spores (with an average length of 12.4 μm), a smaller stipe, and an aromatic odor. Found in
Macon County, North Carolina, it fruits in the summer. ==Habitat and distribution==