Cantharellus cibarius, the golden chanterelle or girolle, is the type species of Cantharellus and an ectomycorrhizal fungus of European woodland. Its egg-yolk yellow, funnel-shaped fruitbodies carry blunt, forked, decurrent ridges instead of true gills and smell faintly of apricots. In the strict sense the species is European; most North American 'golden chanterelles' are separate species.
Choice edible. Rule out the poisonous jack-o'-lanterns (Omphalotus olearius in Europe, O. illudens in eastern N. America; illudins, severe GI upset): sharp true gills, clusters on wood, orange flesh throughout. The false chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca: true forked gills, deeper orange, no apricot smell) is considered poisonous by some sources.
Help build this page
This page grows with the community. Here is what it is still missing:
Photos. None yet — moderators review each photo before it appears.Sign in to add a photo
Sightings. Spotted it in the wild? Add it to the map.Open the map
Strains. No public strains of this species on WeMush yet.
Track Your Own Golden Chanterelle, Girolle Grows
Join WeMush to log cultivation data, discover strains, and connect with fellow growers.
Never eat a wild mushroom based on a web page — confirm with an expert.
Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
Habitat
Ectomycorrhizal; on the ground in deciduous woods with oak, sweet chestnut, hazel and birch, and under conifers; often in moss or beside paths; prefers acid soils.
Distribution
Europe, from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean; frequent but local in Britain and Ireland. Molecular studies show that North American 'golden chanterelles' are mostly other species (C. formosus, C. cascadensis, C. californicus, C. cibarius var. roseocanus), so North American records of C. cibarius need confirmation.
Characteristics
Cap: 3-10 cm (to 15 cm); convex becoming depressed to funnel-shaped; wavy, irregular margin; light to deep yellow. Ridges (false gills): thick, blunt and decurrent; straight near the stem, forked and sinuous toward the margin. Stem: short, colored like the cap or paler, merging into it; solid. Spore print: Pale yellow to creamy white, sometimes pinkish. Spores: ellipsoidal, smooth, inamyloid, 7-11 x 4-6 um. Odour: faint, apricot-like. Taste: not distinctive raw.
