Cantharellus cibarius

Morphological Features:

Pileus that can exceed 5 cm in diameter, fundamentally yellow in color, sometimes very pale and at other times almost orange, giving rise to the existence of several varieties. Its shape is plano-convex when young, but becomes depressed and sinking in the center with age. The cuticle is smooth, and the margin is typically incurved and irregularly lobed.

Lamellae which are not true gills, but rather forked and strongly decurrent ridges, also of a very striking yellow color, practically concolorous with the pileus.

Stipe solid and full, tapering towards the base, rather short, yellow in color, concolorous or slightly paler than the rest of the carpophore.

Flesh thick in the central area of the pileus, thinner towards the margin, yellowish in color, with a pleasant fruity odor and a mild flavor.

Habitat:

It appears most frequently during rainy summers, but is also found in autumn; it usually prefers broadleaf forests, although it also occurs, albeit less abundantly, under conifers. The var. amethysteus typically fruits under larches.

Observations:

A good edible, massive harvesting is putting it at risk in some Central European countries, so we recommend moderate consumption. It closely resembles Cantharellus friesii, which is somewhat smaller and butane-yellow; multiple varieties also exist: var. amethysteus, with lilac spots on the pileus; var. bicolor, with a white pileus and yellow ridges; var. neglectus, completely white with greenish suffusions on the pileus, etc. Currently under study due to the emergence of new taxa such as Cantharellus subpruinosus. It may be confused with Omphalotus olearius, a toxic species with a lignicolous habit, or with Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, which possesses true lamellae instead of ridges and has scanty flesh.