Yellow Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)

Yellow Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) - EDIBLE: CHOICE

Key Features: This fungi has a bald cap, that is bright orange to yellow in color, and usually concave or wavy around the edges when mature. Gills are well spaced and are shallow and blunt-edged, thick and usually with connecting veins in between. Gills are also the same color as the cap and are ALWAYS running down the stalk. The stalk is colored like the cap, or a bit paler. The cap is also SOLID inside not hollow. The flesh is ALWAYS white inside. It must also be growing in the ground.

Season: August - November

Habitat: Single to many on the ground in all types of woods. Also, in my experience, go to what looks like the worst and most damaged part of the woods.

LOOK a LIKES

** The Jack o' Lantern is much thinner and has more crowded gills. The Jack also doesn't have white flesh when you cut into it. Be careful not to confuse these mushrooms as the Jacks contain illudin, a DNA damaging chemical. Severe medical complications may result if a large amount is digested.

Underside of Jack O' Lantern Mushroom

** The False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca) is believed to contain a mild amount of toxins; enough to cause an upset stomach in most. However, its key differences are in its gills. The False Chanterelle has true gills that are thin and paper-like that run only a little way down the stem