This mushroom is typically orange or yellow, meaty and funnel-shaped. On the lower surface, underneath the smooth cap, it has gill-like ridges that run almost all the way down its stem, which tapers down seamlessly from the cap. The mushroom occurs in mixed woodland, notably under birch trees and often beside paths.

Cap light yellow, bright yellow to orange in colour, fading with age. As young formed as a button and then turns more cone-shaped. The margin stays folded in for a long time and then often becomes wavy and uneven at maturity. The mushroom has gill-like veins under the cap that run down the stem, not gills. Flesh firm, thick, yellow. Stem solid, tapers downward from cap. The surface is smooth and the colour is similar to the cap or a lighter yellow to almost white. Spore print pale yellow to creamy white, sometimes with a slight pinkish tinge.

Microscopic Features: The spores are ellipsoidal and smooth, measuring 7-11 x 4-6µm. They are inamyloid (not staining with iodine) and appear hyaline (translucent and glass-like) in KOH (potassium hydroxide).

Similar species: Species that can be mistaken for Cantharellus cibarius include Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Omphalotus olearius and Omphalotus illudens.

Note: The present understanding regarding the number of Cantharellus species in North America that share the characteristics of the Common Chantarelle is uncertain. In the past, they were all grouped under "Cantharellus cibarius," but recent studies have revealed that Cantharellus cibarius is exclusive to Europe.

Cantharellus cibarius on the First Nature Web site.
Cantharellus cibarius on the MushroomExpert.Com Web site.