True Chanterelles vs. False Chanterelles: An excellent example.
While exploring some trails a couple of days ago, I came across some false Chanterelles, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca. While kneeling on the ground taking photos and noting some features, a flash of gold caught my attention underneath the thick cover of the nearby Salal. A giant Pacific Golden Chanterelle, Cantharellus formosus, was only a few feet away from a patch of its less tasty, poisonous counterpart. I took the oppourtunity to showcase them side by side.
I also noticed that there were only two other observations of C. formosus on the West Coast with microscopy attached, so I put a few ridge slices under the scope!
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca)Observer
shroomyseanPlace
PrivateDescription
Long, closely spaced, orange decurrent (true)gills.
Habitat: Side of trail, growing in troop. >5 fruiting bodies.
Cap: Pale orange (image orange creamsicle) Darker in the center, center depressed. Harvested specimen was among the largest in the troop, 6cm in diameter. Margin folded in and under, or slightly downward.
Gills: Closely spaced, vibrant orange. Do not fluoresce under UV. Long, decurrent.
Stipe: Fibrous, popped when snapped, but did not snap cleanly.
Annulus: Absent.
Volva: Absent.
Spore color: White.
Spore morphology: Elongated ellipses.
Spore measurements: 6.96 3.88
(6.2) 6.3 - 7 (7.2) × (3.2) 3.4 - 4 (4.3) µm
Q = (1.6) 1.7 - 2 (2.1) ; N = 36
Me = 6.7 × 3.6 µm ; Qe = 1.8
Other microscopic features: Basidia definitely 2, 3 spored. Maybe even 4, but I didn't check. No noticible cystidia.
Observation #502
Photos / Sounds
What
Pacific Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus formosus)Observer
shroomyseanPlace
PrivateDescription
Pure luck and proximity gave me a wonderful opportunity to show the differences between true (Cantharellales) and false chanterelles (Hygrophoropsis)!
Observation #503
Photos / Sounds
What
Pacific Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus formosus)Observer
shroomyseanDescription
Habitat: Old growth conifer forest.
Cap: Bright yellow, depressed, margin folded under.
Gills: False gills; ridges. Ridges vein-like, forking and running down the stipe. Orange/yellow.
Stipe: Orange, peels apart.
Annulus: Not applicable.
Volva: Not applicable.
Spore color: White.
Spore morphology: Circular to ellipsoid.
Spore measurements:
(5.1) 6.2 - 7.5 (8.1) × (4.8) 4.9 - 6 (6.1) µm
Q = (1) 1.1 - 1.4 (1.6) ; N = 24
Me = 6.8 × 5.5 µm ; Qe = 1.2
Other microscopic features: Basidia very abundant. Often more than 4 young spores attached. No noticeable flashy cystidia.
I noticed there were only two other observations of C. formosus on the West Coast with microscopy attached. I hope this helps contribute something!
Observation #419
Comments
Add a Comment