There are several species of coral fungi that are superficially similar in appearance to R. botrytis, and although comparison of habitat or characteristics like color or branching morphology is often sufficient for identification, sometimes microscopy is required to definitively distinguish between them.

aurantiiramosa in their 1973 monograph of western Washington Ramaria;[7] Edwin Schild and G. Ricci described variety compactospora from Italy in 1998.

[10] The specific epithet botrytis is derived from the Greek word βότρυς (botrus) meaning "bunch of grapes".

[7] Phylogenetic analysis of nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA suggests that R. botrytis is closely related to R. rubripermanens and R. rubrievanescens, and that these species form a clade that is sister (sharing a recent common ancestor) to the false truffle genus Gautieria, the most derived group within the studied taxa.

[23] A drop of Melzer's reagent applied to the stem tissue reveals a weak amyloid staining reaction that often requires more than 30 minutes to develop.

[26] Variety compactospora tends to show a more pronounced wine-red, purple, or reddish color in the branch tips, and has smaller spores measuring 9.2–12.8 by 4–5.4 μm.

[8] Distinctive features of Ramaria botrytis include its large size, the orange, reddish, or purplish branchlets, striate spores with dimensions averaging 13.8 by 4.7 μm, and a weak amyloid staining reaction of the stem tissue.

[27] The North American species R. araiospora, though superficially similar to R. botrytis, has several distinguishing characteristics: it grows under hemlock; it has reddish to magenta branches with orange to yellowish tips; it lacks any discernible odor; it has warted, somewhat cylindrical spores averaging 9.9 by 3.7 μm; and it has non-amyloid stem tissue.

In a study to determine the effectiveness of several edible ectomycorrhizal fungi in promoting growth and nutrient accumulation of large-fruited red mahogany (Eucalyptus pellita), R. botrytis was the best at improving root colonization and macronutrient uptake.

[33] Ramaria botrytis is found in Africa (Tunisia),[34] Australia,[35] Chile, Asia (including the eastern Himalayas of India,[36] Nepal,[37] Japan,[38] Korea,[33] Pakistan,[39] China,[37] the Far East of Russia,[40] and Turkey)[41] and Europe (including the Netherlands,[42] France,[43] Portugal,[44] Italy,[45] Bulgaria,[37] and Spain).

aurantiiramosa, limited in distribution to Lewis County, Washington, associates with Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla).

[50] One field guide rates the edibility as "questionable", warning of the possible danger of confusing specimens with the poisonous Ramaria formosa.

[13][51] Caution is advised when collecting fruit bodies near polluted areas, as the species is known to bioaccumulate toxic arsenic.

[52] Chemical analysis shows R. botrytis to have a food energy value of 154 kilojoules per 100 grams of fresh fruit bodies,[53] which is comparable to the 120–150 kJ range reported for commercially grown edible mushrooms.

[54] Extracts of the fruit body of Ramaria botrytis have been shown to favorably influence the growth and development of HeLa cells grown in tissue culture.

[57] Several sterols have been isolated from the fruit bodies, 5α,6α-epoxy-3β-hydroxy-(22E)-ergosta-8(14),22-dien-7-one, ergosterol peroxide, cerevisterol, and 9α-hydroxycerevisterol, in addition to the previously unknown ceramide (2S,2'R,3R,4E,8E)-N-2'-hydroxyoctadecanoyl-2-amino-9-methyl-4,8-heptade-cadiene-1,3-diol.

[38] Laboratory tests show that fruit bodies have antimicrobial activity against several strains of drug-resistant bacteria that are pathogenic in humans.

Phenolic compounds—common in fruits and vegetables—are being scientifically investigated for their potential health benefits associated with reduced risk of chronic and degenerative diseases.