| Major Groups > Chanterelles and Trumpets > Cantharellus cinnabarinus |
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Cantharellus cinnabarinus [ Basidiomycetes > Cantharellales > Cantharellus . . . ] by Michael Kuo Sadly, this beautiful little mushroom appears to be quite common in some years, but missing entirely in other years, even when other mushroom "regulars" are coming up. Cantharellus cinnabarinus is one of the most beautiful mushrooms in North America--and, as far as edibility goes, it is every bit as good as its infamous cousin, the "true" Chanterelle. Cantharellus cinnabarinus is easily recognized by is distinctive, flamingo-pink colors and the presence of false gills on the under side of the cap. It tends to be smaller than Cantharellus cibarius, and grows on the ground in eastern North America's hardwood forests. The "Cinnabar Chanterelle" is often found growing alongside its yellow chanterelle cousins, and it makes a visually appealing addition to a batch of sauteed chanterelles, since it retains its cinnabar color when cooked (lightly). Description: Ecology: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods east of the Rocky Mountains; growing alone, scattered, or gregariously in summer and fall. The most impressive fruitings I have seen were under Shagbark Hickory in Illinois, and under Big-Toothed Aspen in northern Michigan.Cap: 1-5 cm wide; convex to flat when young, becoming flat or shallowly vase-shaped; smooth; the margin inrolled when young, expanding and becoming wavy; flamingo pink to cinnabar red or reddish orange. Undersurface: With well spaced, well developed false gills; colored like the cap or slightly paler. Stem: 1-4 cm long; .5-1.5 cm wide; equal or tapering slightly to the base; colored like the cap or paler. Flesh: Whitish or tinged with the cap color; not changing color when sliced. Odor and Taste: Odor sweet and fragrant; taste mild to slightly peppery. Chemical Reactions: Flesh negative to very pale gray with iron salts; under surface negative to very pale gray with iron salts. See Reactions to Iron Salts among the Chanterelles. Spore Print: Whitish or pinkish. Microscopic Features: Spores 6-10 x 4-6 µ; smooth; elliptical. REFERENCES: Schweinitz, 1832. (Corner, 1966; Smith, 1968; Bigelow, 1978; Smith, Smith & Weber, 1981; Smith & Weber, 1985; Arora, 1986; Phillips, 1991/2005; Lincoff, 1992; Metzler & Metzler, 1992; Horn, Kay and Abel, 1993; Persson, 1997; Barron, 1999; Roody, 2003; McNeil, 2006; Miller & Miller, 2006; Kuo, 2007.) Herb. Kuo 07259401, 06140302, 07220302, 07200703. Further Online Information: Cantharellus cinnabarinus at Roger's Mushrooms |
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Cite this page as: Kuo, M. (2003, June). Cantharellus cinnabarinus. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/cantharellus_cinnabarinus.html |