''Cantharellus enelensis'' is one of several species of

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 ...

native to

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

, discovered in 2017 as a new member of the '' C. cibarius'' complex. It forms

mycorrhizal A mycorrhiza (; , mycorrhiza, or mycorrhizas) is a symbiotic association between a fungus and a plant. The term mycorrhiza refers to the role of the fungus in the plant's rhizosphere, the plant root system and its surroundings. Mycorrhizae play ...

relationships and is an

edible mushroom Edible mushrooms are the fleshy fruit bodies of numerous species of macrofungi (fungi that bear fruiting structures large enough to be seen with the naked eye). Edibility may be defined by criteria including the absence of poisonous effect ...

Taxonomy

''Cantharellus enelensis'' was discovered in 2017 as a new member of the '' C. cibarius'' complex. It was temporarily categorized as having a

conservation status The conservation status of a group of organisms (for instance, a species) indicates whether the group still exists and how likely the group is to become extinct in the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing conservation ...

of 'least concern'.

Etymology

The name ''enelensis'' is in honour of the Canadian province of

Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the populatio ...

where the mushroom was first discovered.

Description

''Cantharellus enelensis'' has decurrent ridges that are forked, a

cap A cap is a flat headgear, usually with a visor. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. The origin of the word "cap" comes from the Old French word "chapeau" which means "head co ...

that is from in diameter and can be infundibuliform in older specimens. The flesh is firm and white to pale yellow on the inside and can smell fruity, often described as apricot smelling. The foot of the mushroom gets wider closer to the cap.

Similar species

Members of the ''C. cibarius'' complex in eastern North America are difficult to distinguish from one another without special techniques such as DNA sequencing and microscopic examinations. ''Cantharellus. enelensis'' can be distinguished from ''C. cibarius'' by its

hymenophore A hymenophore refers to the hymenium-bearing structure of a fungal fruiting body. Hymenophores can be smooth surfaces, lamellae, folds, tubes, or teeth. The term was coined by Robert Hooke Robert Hooke (; 18 July 16353 March 1703) was an ...

, which is more orange in ''C. enelensis''.

Distribution and habitat

''C. enelensis'' is one of 40 varieties of ''Cantharellus'' that grows in

, which it is native to. Chanterelles identified with

DNA sequencing DNA sequencing is the process of determining the nucleic acid sequence – the order of nucleotides in DNA. It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the order of the four bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. The ...

as ''C. enelensis'' have been found in

Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the population ...

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

and

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

but there is evidence to suggest it is widespread in North American conifer forests. It is the most commonly found chanterelle in Newfoundland.

Ecology

''Cantharellus enelensis'' forms

relationships and grows in conifer forests with well drained, moist, sandy soil. The mushrooms beat fruiting bodies between July and September with the peak in August.

Uses

''Cantharellus enelensis'' is an

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q107546798 Fungi of North America Fungi described in 2017 Edible fungi enelensis Fungus species