Dangerous Chanterelle Look Alikes
At first glance these may look like Chanterelles!
The trick to identify them is in the gills
 Here are
the mushrooms that could be considered look alikes to the Golden Chanterelle.
The Jack O'Lantern, Omphalotus illudens (pictured above and
left) and Omphalotus olivascens (not shown) have true gills which are thinner and more
crowded than the blunt forked, ridges on the underside of the cap of Chanterelles.
These two species are considered poisonous and can make you quite ill though, luckily for
many who have falsely identified them as chanterelles, these two will not kill you. More
pictures of Jack O' Lantern and a gill
comparison.
The edible False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca
(pictured right and below) also have thinner gills which are more orange in color and a
cap which tends to be darker (towards brown). These mushrooms won't hurt you (they are
supposedly edible) but they will cause culinary disappointment.  Here is a gill comparison to
Chanterelles.
As always if you aren't sure of your identification consult
a field guide or a trusted expert. Bottom line as always: when in doubt throw it out!
-Roy Reehil
This recipe for wild leeks
works well with Chanterelles too!
Happy Hunting! |
