Cantharellus cinnabarinus
Species of fungus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cantharellus cinnabarinus, the red chanterelle, is a species of fungus. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles. Its distinctive red color is imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin. Widely distributed in eastern Northern America, it fruits in association with hardwood trees in the summer and fall.
| Cantharellus cinnabarinus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Cantharellales |
| Family: | Cantharellaceae |
| Genus: | Cantharellus |
| Species: | C. cinnabarinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cantharellus cinnabarinus (Schwein.) Schwein. 1832 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Agaricus cinnabarinus Schwein. 1822 | |
| Cantharellus cinnabarinus | |
|---|---|
| Mycological characteristics | |
 | Ridges on hymenium |
 | Cap is infundibuliform |
 | Hymenium is decurrent |
 | Stipe is bare |
 | Spore print is white to pink |
 | Ecology is mycorrhizal |
 | Edibility is edible |
Etymology
It is named after cinnabar, which has a similar red color.[citation needed]
Description
Cantharellus cinnabarinus is recognized by its distinctive flamingo-pink to bright orange and red colors (imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin)[1] and the presence of false gills underneath the cap.[2] The fruitbodies can grow up to 7 centimetres (2+3⁄4 in) across.[3]
It resembles some other species of Cantharellus, but tends to be more small and slender.[4] Its forked gills distinguish it from Hygrocybe.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Widely distributed in eastern Northern America,[5] it fruits in association with hardwood trees.[6] It can be found from June to October, mostly on the ground in broadleaf and mixed broadleaf/conifer forests. It usually occurs scattered or in small groups.[4] It forms mycorrhizal associations with forest trees and shows preference for acidic soils.[7]
