Cantharellus formosus
Encyclopedia
Cantharellus formosus, commonly known as the pacific golden chanterelle, is a fungus
native to the Pacific Northwest
region of North America
. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus
along with other popular edible chanterelle
s. It was only recently distinguished from C. cibarius of Europe
, and has a similar appearance. It is orange to yellow, meaty and funnel-shaped. On the underside of the smooth cap, it has gill-like ridges that run down onto its stipe, which tapers down seamlessly from the cap. The false gills often have a pinkish hue. It has a mild, sweet odor. It is solitary to gregarious in coniferous forests, fruiting from July to December.
The pacific golden chanterelle is the most important commercially-harvested Cantharellus species in the Pacific Northwest. This chanterelle has been designated Oregon's state mushroom, due to its economic value and abundance.
of C. formosus range from 2–14 cm (0.78740157480315–5.5 in) wide, with cap
colors varying depending on light levels and weather. In dry weather, the cap is medium orange yellow to light yellow brown, but wet weather may brighten the cap to brilliant to soft orange yellow. In low light conditions, caps may not develop the yellow pigmentation, resulting in salmon to rosy buff colors. The false gills
may be yellow, salmon, buff, or even whitish depending on conditions, but are usually paler than the cap. The stem
is colored similarly to the cap, and is either equal-width or tapering downwards. The spore print is a yellowish white color.
formally described C. formosus in 1966 from specimens collected on Vancouver Island
in 1938. Despite this publication, the name C. cibarius continued to be used to refer to golden chanterelles in the Pacific Northwest. In 1997, Redhead et. al re-examined Corner's specimens, returned to the type locale, and collected new specimens, confirming the identity of C. formosus. DNA analysis has since confirmed the species-level rank of C. formosus.
to California
, and is particularly abundant in the conifer forests of Washington and Oregon
. It forms a mycorrhizal association
with Douglas-fir and western hemlock, and has been shown to be more common in younger (40-60 year-old) forests than in old-growth forests.
Additionally, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca
, Chroogomphus tomentosus
, and species in the genera Craterellus
, Gomphus
, Omphalotus
, and Polyozellus
may have a somewhat similar appearance to C. formosus.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
native to the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
region of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus
Cantharellus
Cantharellus is a genus of popular edible mushrooms, commonly known as chanterelles . They are mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they form symbiotic associations with plants, making them very difficult to cultivate...
along with other popular edible chanterelle
Chanterelle
Cantharellus cibarius, commonly known as the chanterelle, golden chanterelle or girolle, is a fungus. It is probably the best known species of the genus Cantharellus, if not the entire family of Cantharellaceae. It is orange or yellow, meaty and funnel-shaped...
s. It was only recently distinguished from C. cibarius of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and has a similar appearance. It is orange to yellow, meaty and funnel-shaped. On the underside of the smooth cap, it has gill-like ridges that run down onto its stipe, which tapers down seamlessly from the cap. The false gills often have a pinkish hue. It has a mild, sweet odor. It is solitary to gregarious in coniferous forests, fruiting from July to December.
The pacific golden chanterelle is the most important commercially-harvested Cantharellus species in the Pacific Northwest. This chanterelle has been designated Oregon's state mushroom, due to its economic value and abundance.
Description
Fruiting bodiesBasidiocarp
In fungi, a basidiocarp, basidiome or basidioma , is the sporocarp of a basidiomycete, the multicellular structure on which the spore-producing hymenium is borne. Basidiocarps are characteristic of the hymenomycetes; rusts and smuts do not produce such structures...
of C. formosus range from 2–14 cm (0.78740157480315–5.5 in) wide, with cap
Pileus
Pileus may refer to:*Pileus , a brimless cap*Pileus , the "cap" of a mushroom*Pileus , a cloud formation...
colors varying depending on light levels and weather. In dry weather, the cap is medium orange yellow to light yellow brown, but wet weather may brighten the cap to brilliant to soft orange yellow. In low light conditions, caps may not develop the yellow pigmentation, resulting in salmon to rosy buff colors. The false gills
Hymenium
The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. In some species all of the cells of the hymenium develop into basidia or asci, while in others some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia or...
may be yellow, salmon, buff, or even whitish depending on conditions, but are usually paler than the cap. The stem
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
is colored similarly to the cap, and is either equal-width or tapering downwards. The spore print is a yellowish white color.
Taxonomy
E. J. H. CornerE. J. H. Corner
Edred John Henry Corner FRS was a botanist who occupied the posts of assistant director at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Professor of Tropical Botany at the University of Cambridge...
formally described C. formosus in 1966 from specimens collected on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
in 1938. Despite this publication, the name C. cibarius continued to be used to refer to golden chanterelles in the Pacific Northwest. In 1997, Redhead et. al re-examined Corner's specimens, returned to the type locale, and collected new specimens, confirming the identity of C. formosus. DNA analysis has since confirmed the species-level rank of C. formosus.
Distribution
C. formosus has been reported from British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and is particularly abundant in the conifer forests of Washington and Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. It forms a mycorrhizal association
Mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant....
with Douglas-fir and western hemlock, and has been shown to be more common in younger (40-60 year-old) forests than in old-growth forests.
Similar species
Several other species of chanterelle may be found in western North America:- C. californicusCantharellus californicusCantharellus californicus, sometimes called the mud puppy or oak chanterelle, is a fungus native to California, USA. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other popular edible chanterelles. It is generally similar in appearance to C. cibarius and C...
— large size, associated with oaks in California - C. cascadensisCantharellus cascadensisCantharellus cascadensis is a fungus native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other popular edible chanterelles. It is named after the Cascade Range, where it was formally described in 2003.-Similar species:Several other species...
— bright yellow fading to white in center of cap, may have bulbous base of stem - C. cibarius var. roseocanus — brilliant orange-yellow color without pinkish hues, false gills not paler than cap
- C. subalbidusCantharellus subalbidusCantharellus subalbidus, the white chanterelle, is a fungus native to California and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other popular edible chanterelles. It is similar in appearance to other chanterelles except for its cream to white...
— whitish overall color
Additionally, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, commonly known as the False Chanterelle, is an orange funnel-shaped mushroom which has been confused at times with the true chanterelles, however recent work shows its affinity lies with the Boletes in the order Boletales.-Description:The False chanterelle has an orange...
, Chroogomphus tomentosus
Chroogomphus
Chroogomphus is a genus of mushrooms commonly known as pine-spikes or spike-caps based on their shape and the fact that they are always found growing in association with pine trees...
, and species in the genera Craterellus
Craterellus
Craterellus is a genus of generally edible fungi similar to the closely related chanterelles, with some species recently reassigned to this genus. They are distinguished by their lack of gill-like structures on the underside of their caps....
, Gomphus
Gomphus (fungus)
Gomphus is a small genus of cantharelloid fungi in the family Gomphaceae. The genus has a widespread distribution in temperate regions, and contains 10 species. Once presumed to be related to chanterelles, molecular study has shown them to be allied with stinkhorns and fairy clubs...
, Omphalotus
Omphalotus
Omphalotus is a genus of Basidiomycete mushroom formally described by Victor Fayod in 1889. Members have the traditional cap and stem toadstool form. The best known and type species is the jack-o'-lantern mushroom . Species of Omphalotus, which are poisonous, have been mistaken for chanterelles...
, and Polyozellus
Polyozellus
Polyozellus is a fungal genus in the family Thelephoraceae, a grouping of mushrooms known collectively as the leathery earthfans. A monotypic genus, it contains the single species Polyozellus multiplex, first described in 1899, and commonly known as the blue chanterelle, the clustered blue...
may have a somewhat similar appearance to C. formosus.