Golden spindles
Golden Spindles (Clavulinopsis fusiformis) are often called Grassland Fairy Club fungi because they are brightly coloured and easy to spot, whilst those of a similar genus are the opposite and are completely different microscopically.
They all have a preference for good clean grassland that has had no fertiliser or herbicide applied, in other words: totally unimproved grassland for a very long time. They will always disappear if the land is improved in any way. So the New Forest grasslands are an absolutely excellent habitat.
They are erect, unbranched, and wavy or twisted, with longitudinal grooves, and can be up to 12 cm high. The tips often turn a brown colour on maturity. Because they are conjoined at the base, they grow in dense tufts and large clusters on soil in amongst the grass and moss.
Golden Spindles are widespread and common, but there are many similar species, especially in the New Forest with grassland which includes pasture woodland, as well as large open areas. They can also be infected with a parasitic fungus which may alter the colour, so an exact identification may be difficult.