''Cantharellus cibarius'' (

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

: ''cantharellus'', "

chanterelle Chanterelle is the common name of several species of fungi in the genera ''Cantharellus'', ''Craterellus'', ''Gomphus (fungus), Gomphus'', and ''Polyozellus''. They are orange, yellow or white, meaty and funnel-shaped. On the lower surface, mos ...

"; ''cibarius'', "culinary") is the golden chanterelle, the

type species In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...

of the chanterelle genus ''

Cantharellus ''Cantharellus'' is a genus of mushrooms, commonly known as chanterelles (), a name which can also refer to the type species, '' Cantharellus cibarius''. They are mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they form symbiotic associations with plants. Ch ...

''. It is also known as girolle (or ''girole''). Despite its characteristic features, ''C. cibarius'' can be confused with species such as the poisonous '' Omphalotus illudens''. The golden chanterelle is a commonly consumed and choice edible species.

Taxonomy

At one time, all yellow or golden chanterelles in North America had been classified as ''Cantharellus cibarius''. Using

DNA analysis Genetic testing, also known as DNA testing, is used to identify changes in DNA sequence or chromosome structure. Genetic testing can also include measuring the results of genetic changes, such as RNA analysis as an output of gene expression, or ...

, they have since been shown to be a group of related species known as the ''Cantharellus cibarius'' group or species complex, with ''C. cibarius sensu stricto'' restricted to Europe. In 1997, '' C. formosus'' (the Pacific golden chanterelle) and ''C. cibarius'' var. ''roseocanus'' were identified, followed by '' C. cascadensis'' in 2003 and '' C. californicus'' in 2008. In 2018, an Asian species belonging to the ''C. cibarius'' complex has been described and

sequenced In genetics and biochemistry, sequencing means to determine the primary structure (sometimes incorrectly called the primary sequence) of an unbranched biopolymer. Sequencing results in a symbolic linear depiction known as a sequence which succi ...

, ''C. anzutake'', recorded in Japan and Korea.

Description

The mushroom is easy to detect and recognize in nature. The body is wide and tall. The color varies from yellow to dark yellow. Red spots will appear on the cap of the mushroom if it is damaged. Chanterelles have a faint aroma and flavor of

apricot An apricot (, ) is a fruit, or the tree that bears the fruit, of several species in the genus ''Prunus''. Usually an apricot is from the species '' P. armeniaca'', but the fruits of the other species in ''Prunus'' sect. ''Armeniaca'' are also ...

Similar species

The species can resemble the dangerously poisonous '' Omphalotus illudens'' (eastern jack-o'lantern) and '' Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca'' (the false chanterelle).

Distribution and habitat

The species grows in Europe from

Scandinavia Scandinavia is a subregion#Europe, subregion of northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It can sometimes also ...

to the Mediterranean Basin, mainly in

deciduous In the fields of horticulture and botany, the term deciduous () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed Leaf, leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, aft ...

and

conifer Conifers () are a group of conifer cone, cone-bearing Spermatophyte, seed plants, a subset of gymnosperms. Scientifically, they make up the phylum, division Pinophyta (), also known as Coniferophyta () or Coniferae. The division contains a sin ...

ous forests and typically from June to December.

Uses

A commonly eaten and favored mushroom, the chanterelle is typically harvested from late summer to late fall in its European distribution. Chanterelles are used in many culinary dishes, and can be preserved by either drying or freezing. The use of an oven for drying is not recommended because it can make the mushroom bitter.

References

External links

* {{Authority control cibarius Edible fungi Fungi in cultivation Fungi of Europe Fungi described in 1821 Fungus species