Mushrooms - Chanterelles lookalikes

Today we are going to talk about chanterelles! A common and well-known wild edible mushroom.

Chanterelles are often a sought-after wild mushroom, growing under forests. The purpose of this post, which is meant for intermediate skilled mushroom foragers, is to identify the chanterelle lookalikes. Chanterelles have three toxic lookalikes which are quite important to be aware of.

We are only comparing them with the common chanterelle type species, Chantharellus cibarius. There are other species of chanterelles (which furthers adds to the complexity of their identification) but here we are only focusing in the common chanterelle.

Chanterelles look-alikes: 

The chanterelle look-alikes include 3 groups of species:
1) Jack o'lanterns (Omphalotus). These are quite poisonous but not deadly

2) False chanterelle (Hyfrophoropsis). These are very similar (well, not to experts!) and they are slightly toxic (not deadly)
3) And importantly, some species of Cortinarius, which are deadly. The cortinarius shape are usually very different than chanterelles (with a typical gilled-mushroom shape) but the confusion can happen to beginners. It can be somewhat strikingly similar in color and size to chanterelles, with a similar yellowish color, and thus it can be a big danger if both are growing together! And I have seen both together. Anyone with a bit more skill than a beginner, should distinguish them fairly easily.

Jack o lanterns

• Chanterelles have forked false gills, whilst Jack o'lanterns have true gills. But be aware false chanterelles can have forked gills.
• Chanterelles have a blunt curving edge while Jack'o lanterns have gills right up to the edge
• Chanterelles grow individually. Jack o'lanterns have stems attached (and grow in groups, often at base of trees), whilst Chanterelles do not.
• Chanterelles flesh can be pure white, whilst Jack o'lanterns will have an orangeish flesh.
• Chanterelles never grow in dead wood (Jack o'lanterns grow in dead wood, but it could be buried., giving a false impression)
• Chanterelles have ridges running down the stem
• Chanterelles false gills are strong and sharp, whilst Jack o'lanterns true gills are quite fragile.

Jack o lanterns on the left. Chanterelles on the right. Notice the edge of the cap

Jack o lanterns grow in groups!

Chanterelles grow individually!

False Chanterelles

• Chanterelles have a deep yellow color, while False chanterelles have no yellow, color is deep orange . But be aware that Jack o'lanterns can have a yellow hue (but usually are bright orange).
• Chanterelles have almost pure white flesh (but not always, sometimes pale yellow too), whilst False chanterelles have pale yellow flesh or darker. This can be seen if you cut them all the way down along the stem. There is a very clear difference in color between them.
• Chanterelles have blunt edges curved down, whilst False chanterelles do not. This is one of the best differences to spot, after the color.
• Chanterelles have an apricot smell. False chanterelles do not. But be aware Jack o'lanterns can have a fruity taste too.
• Spore print is not to distinguish them. Chanterelles spore print is white or light yellow. False chanterelle spore print is white or cream.
• Chanterelles have a normal texture and fragile false gills, which fork near the edge of cap, whilst False chanterelles have a felt texture and also strong gills. But this is probably a difficult characteristic, if you are not familiar with them.

Young chanterelles start round and rather conical, and evolve to irregular shapes, whilst false chanterelles start a more perfect round and stay with a regular circular shape (as seen below)

False chanterelle. Notice the dull color, strong orange center spot, and also the felt-like texture

Notice the much more orange color of the False chanterelle, and also the edges which are not curved!

Cortinarius rubellus

As said above, do not confuse with Cortinarius species which are deadly. This is the greatest danger when identifying chanterelles. Cortinarius rubellus is the deadly webcap. Spores will be rusty red on this poisonous species, whilst chanterelles are white or pale yellow.

Cortinarius: it looks quite difference, but the slightly yellowish hue of some specimens and similar size to chanterelles, can pose a danger if picking chanterelles

Disclaimer: this is only intended for educational purposes. Do not eat mushrooms based on the information found here. In general, do not eat mushrooms unless you are 100% sure about its ID.