chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
Cantharellus cibarius is a yolk funnel with ridges on the underside. It is one of the most popular market mushrooms and grows sociably among spruce and beech.
Scientific name: Cantharellus cibarius
Features
The cap is 2 to 10 cm wide, egg yellow to yolk yellow, young curved with rolled-up edge, later funnel-shaped with wavy edge. Instead of gills, it wears blunt, forked ridges in cap color, which run far down the stem. The stem is full, yellow, tapered downwards and passes without border into the cap. Ring and volva are missing. It smells fruity like apricots or mirabelles, raw chewed it tastes a bit peppery. The flesh is whitish to pale yellow, firm and fibrous and does not discolour. White to pale cream yellow
Habitat
Especially spruce, then European beech, also oak, pine and fir.. Acid, nutrient-poor, mossy soils.. From the lowlands to the montane step.
Season
June to November High season after warm, humid weather in summer.
Weather and fruiting
Chanterelles respond more slowly than boletes: lasting soil moisture matters more than a single downpour.
Lookalike risk
False chanterelle: It has thin, dense, true gills, is orange and grows on needle litter and rotten wood. Jack o'Lantern mushroom: It grows bushes of hardwood, is strong orange and has real, sharp gills; rare in DE and AT. Amethyst chanterelle: It's wearing purple bobbins on its cap.
More regions
chanterelle · Scottish Highlands
Cool, wet Atlantic climate; season later and longer than in southern England.
chanterelle · Cairngorms
Upland granite and pine woods; elevation delays fruiting compared with the coast.
chanterelle · New Forest
Lowland mixed woods and heath; earlier season after mild, wet summers.
chanterelle · Lake District
High rainfall on western fells; valleys fruit earlier than high tarns.
chanterelle · Galloway
Mild, wet south-west Scotland with Sitka and mixed woodland.
More species
Lookalike risk: chanterelle / false chanterelle
FAQ
What does the map show?
Weather-based foraging chances, not a guarantee that fruit bodies stand at the pin.
Can I eat this mushroom?
No page replaces identification. If unsure, leave it or ask an expert.
Golden chanterelle: is it edible?
Yes, it is an edible mushroom. Watch for wrinkles instead of true gills; Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca and the poisonous Omphalotus olearius have true gills.
Golden chanterelle: when and where does it grow?
In central Europe the season runs June to November. High season after warm, humid weather in summer. Habitat: Especially spruce, then European beech, also oak, pine and fir.
Golden chanterelle: what are the lookalikes?
The most important distinction is from Jack o'Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius, poisonous): It grows bushes of hardwood, is strong orange and has real, sharp gills; rare in DE and AT. Other lookalikes: False chanterelle, Amethyst chanterelle.
When is a trip worth it?
Chanterelles respond more slowly than boletes: lasting soil moisture matters more than a single downpour.