Species details

Velvet chanterelle

Cantharellus friesii

Traditionally edible
Velvet chanterelle – Cantharellus friesii

Photo: Inger-Lise Fonneland · CC BY 4.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A small vivid orange chanterelle with a wavy margin and low, blunt, branching ridges running down the stem.

Identification features

The cap is usually only a few centimetres wide, orange to reddish-orange and finely velvety. The hymenium has blunt branching ridges rather than true thin gills.

Identification checklist

Check the small size, vivid orange colour and especially the blunt branching ridges that are integral with the flesh and run down the stem. True thin gills indicate another group.

Detailed features

Cap
A small vivid orange chanterelle with a wavy margin and low blunt branched ridges running down the stem.
Hymenophore
The hymenium has blunt branching ridges rather than true thin gills.
Flesh
Thin, white to yellowish, firmer in the stem.
Smell
No distinctive smell.
Spore print
Pale yellowish.

Size

Cap diameter
≤ 3 cm
Stem height
≤ 4 cm
Stem diameter
≤ 0,8 cm

Habitat

Mycorrhizal in deciduous and mixed woodland, especially with beech; from late spring to autumn. It is regionally uncommon or rare.

Fruiting period

May, June, July, August, September, October

Ecology

Trophic mode
Mycorrhizal
Host trees
Beech (Fagus)
Substrate
Forest soil
Notes
Mycorrhizal species. Mycorrhizal in deciduous and mixed woodland, especially with beech; from late spring to autumn. It is regionally uncommon or rare.

How to separate similar species

Common chanterelle is larger and usually yellower. False chanterelle has true, thinner and more crowded gills and softer flesh. With orange fungi also confirm that growth is from soil rather than wood.

Similar species

Interesting facts

Did you know? It is much smaller than the common chanterelle and is notable for its vivid orange to red-orange colours.

Extended-description sources