False Chanterelle
Poisonous 
Autumn 
Summer 
Not strictly speaking a poisonous mushroom but they can cause alarming symptoms in some people.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | False Chanterelle |
| Scientific Name | Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca |
| Season Start | Jul |
| Season End | Nov |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 5 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 8 |
Cap
Yellow, yellow/orange/brown. Starting convex becoming shallowly funnel shaped with an inrolled, undulating margin.
Gills
Gills orange. Running down the stem (decurrent), forked and crowded.
Stem
Yellow/orange tapering slightly towards the base, often curved.
Flesh
Pale yellow/orange and tough, never pure white.
Habitat
Mainly coniferous woodland but can be found on heaths and occasionally with deciduous trees.
Possible Confusion
The Chanterelle but the folds instead of true gills, the pure white flesh and the apricot smell of the Chanterelle should rule out confusion.
Spore Print
White. Ellipsoid.
Frequency
Common.
Other Facts
A beautiful but annoying mushroom to find. Once you know them you can normally tell the difference between these and their tasty cousins the true chanterelles on sight from a few feet away. Even so you can still try to convince yourself they are Chanterelles, so strength of mind and will may need to be employed if you find them!
3 comments for False Chanterelle
what are the alarming symptoms!?
Hi Chris, some people get very sick with hot and cold flushes, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and hallucinations, some people are unaffected. Eric.
I accidently boiled some of these thinking theyre chanterelles and it was quite clear they were false – the smell & taste was absolutely horrible, like old milk!!!