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Cantharellus cinnabarinus, commonly known as the Cinnabar Chanterelle, is a striking, small-statured basidiomycete native to the hardwood forests of eastern North America. Distinguished by its vibrant flamingo-pink to cinnabar-red coloration, this species is a smaller relative of the golden chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius). The fruit bodies typically feature a convex cap that becomes flat or shallowly depressed with age, often developing wavy or irregular margins. Unlike gilled mushrooms, the hymenium (spore-bearing surface) consists of blunt, forked ridges (false gills) that run decurrently down the stem. The distinct red pigmentation is primarily due to the carotenoid canthaxanthin. Ecologically, C. cinnabarinus is an obligate ectomycorrhizal fungus, forming symbiotic relationships with the roots of hardwood trees, particularly oaks (Quercus) and beeches (Fagus). It plays a vital role in forest nutrient cycling by facilitating the exchange of water and minerals for photosynthates from its host trees. The species fruits terrestrially, often appearing in scattered troops or gregarious clusters during the warm, humid months of summer and early autumn. While significantly smaller than other chanterelle species, its brilliant color makes it easily visible against the forest floor leaf litter.
Native: Eastern North America, Southeastern United States, Midwestern United States, Eastern Canada. Primarily restricted to Eastern North America. Similar-looking red chanterelle species exist in other parts of the world but are genetically distinct.
No strains cataloged yet for this species.
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