(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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Amethyst Chanterelle
Edible 
Autumn 
Summer
One of the less common members of the edible chanterelle family. It was considered a variety of the common chanterelle but is now regarded as a separate species. Just as tasty and sought after, it may be more common than is recorded but overlooked by people thinking it is the common form. Usually in groups. Only to be picked if abundant.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Amethyst Chanterelle (EN), Pieprznik Ametystowy (PL), Ibolyás Rókagomba (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Cantharellus amethysteus |
| Synonyms | Cantharellus cibarius var. amethysteus |
| Season Start | May |
| Season End | Oct |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 4-7 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 3-8 |
Cap
3-8 cm. Flattened at first with irregular margin becoming depressed towards the centre. Often undulating all round the edges, less inclined to become funnel shaped than the common chanterelle. Yellow but with a complete or patchy coating (sometimes more towards the edge, sometimes more towards the centre) of tiny purplish scales that fade with age.
Gills
Does not have true bladed gills but forked, slightly rounded folds that look like gills. These run part way down the stem (decurrent). Tend to be paler than the cap.
Stem
3-8 cm long, 0.5-1.5 cm diameter. Solid, often paler than the cap, yellow or pale yellow, tapering towards the base. It can be hard to determine where the ‘gills’ end and the stem begins.
Flesh
White becoming yellow or brownish.
Possible Confusion
The purplish scales on the cap really leave little chance of confusion with anything else, not even the usual suspect with chanterelles, the false chanterelle. Likewise the poisonous Jack O’Lantern (Omphalotus illudens), this is a very rare mushroom in Britain, and it grows on deciduous wood, it has true gills and is dark orange in colour. Pale Chanterelle, pictured.
Spore Print
Pale yellow.
Frequency
Uncommon
Spores
Ellipsoidal
1 comment for Amethyst Chanterelle
I feel you may be correct about the amethysts being under reported.
My local area has predominantly amethysts (8/10 spots will give only this type). With this year being so wet, it has them springing up in patches that have never fruited before. Last year yielded none whatsoever in any of my patches as it was so dry, but on the other hand gave basket fulls of pest free Ceps, never seen anything like it before.