In addition to Clavaria and Ramariopsis, the R. kunzei has been placed in the genera Ramaria by Lucien Quélet in 1888, and Clavulinopsis by Walter Jülich in 1985.

[6] This fungus does not undergo any color changes upon bruising or injury,[7] however, a 10% solution of FeSO4 (a chemical test known as "iron salts") applied to the flesh will turn it green.

Viewed with a light microscope, the spores are translucent and have an ellipsoid to roughly spherical shape with spines on the surface, and dimensions of 3–5.5 by 2.5–4.5 μm.

[6][9] The "crested coral" (Clavulina cristata, edible) is similar in appearance to R. kunzei,[12] but its branches have fringed, feathery tips.

The "jellied false coral" (Tremellodendron pallidum, edible[13]) has whitish, tough, cartilaginous branches with blunt tips.

[10] David Arora has noted a preference for growing under conifers, as well as a prevalence in redwood forests of North America.

"[15] In Europe, Ramariopsis kunzei has been collected in Scotland (specifically, on the islands of Arran, Gigha and Kintyre peninsula),[16] the Netherlands,[17] Norway,[18] former Czechoslovakia,[19] Germany,[20] Poland,[21] and Russia (Zhiguli Mountains).