Choice Edible
Red Chanterelle
Cantharellus cinnabarinus
Also known as: Red Chanterelle, Cinnabar-red Chanterelle
Botanical Overview
Cantharellus cinnabarinus, the red chanterelle, is a fungus native to eastern North America. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles. It is named after its red color, which is imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin. It is edible and good, fruiting in association with hardwood trees in the summer and fall.
Foraging Safety · Hazard Watch
Similar & Confusing Lookalikes
Never harvest or eat wild mushrooms based on photos alone. Always cross-check against these similar lookalikes:
Lookalike
Cantharellus texensis
Cantharellus texensis
Choice Edible
Pacific Golden Chanterelle
Cantharellus formosus
Lookalike
Cantharellus coccolobae
Cantharellus coccolobae
Lookalike
Cantharellus persicinus
Cantharellus persicinus
Classification
Scientific Taxonomy
Kingdom Fungi
Phylum Basidiomycota
Class Agaricomycetes
Order Cantharellales
Family Cantharellaceae
Genus Cantharellus
Safety Notice: Never consume any wild mushroom based exclusively on photographs or app identification. Many deadly poisonous species (such as Amanita phalloides) closely mimic edible varieties. Always verify your specimen in person with a certified expert mycologist.
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