Image © Joey Spatafora
|
The common chanterelle of the Pacific Northwest is often found under a canopy of conifers
(Douglas-fir, and Western Hemlock in the Coast range), forming ecto-mycorrhizal associations with them.
It fruits primarily during the
fall (September and October) when the onset of rain initiates fruiting. If you find
one, look for more, because there are often many basidiocarps in each patch.
In fact, you may even want to come back later to look for more, because our long,
mild, wet Falls often produce more than one crop of fruiting bodies.
There are three major clues, visible to the unaided eye which will tell you the mushroom you have found is a chanterelle. The first characteristic is the graceful, vase-shaped stalk, terminating in a flat cap. The second is the pale yellowish/orangey color of the basidiocarp. The third, and most important character to observe are the 'false' gills. False gills are blunt and shallow, unlike the blade-like 'true' gills borne borne by most mushrooms. This character will allow you to distinguish between the true chanterelle, and the false chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), which bears true, thin, blade-like gills. The spore-prints of most members of the genus Cantharellus range from cream-colored to white. On a microscopic level, Cantharellus formosus bears smooth elliptal spores on long, slender basidia. Our C. formosus has often been grouped together with California's native chanterelle, C. cibarius, which is very similar; however, C. formosus but is often colored a brighter, or richer orangeish-yellow. Both species are edible and very tasty. |
|
Learn more about this fungus
Query the OSU Mycology Herbarium Database |
Mail Comments Dr. Joseph Spatafora |
