Chanterelle (Cantharellus pallens)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Incertae sedis (undefined)
- Order: Cantharellales (Chanterelle (Cantarella))
- Family: Cantharellaceae (Chanterelle)
- Genus: Cantharellus (Chanterelle)
- Species: Cantharellus pallens (Chanterelle pale (Chanterelle white))
Synonyms:
Chanterelle white
Light chanterelle
Cantharellus cibaruis
Chanterelle pale (lat. Cantharellus pallens ) is a type of yellow chanterelle. The fungus is also called light chanterelle, chanterelle Cantharellus cibaruis var. pallenus pilat or white chanterelle .
External description of the mushroom
The cap of the pallid chanterelle reaches 1-5 cm in diameter. Sometimes there are fruiting bodies, the cap diameter of which is 8 cm. Distinctive features of this mushroom are the winding edge of the cap and the unusual shape in the form of a funnel. In young pale chanterelles, the edges of the cap remain even, but at the same time they are bent downward. As it matures, a curved edge forms and the curvature becomes smaller. The pallid chanterelle differs from other varieties of the chanterelle family in a pale yellow or white-yellow shade of the upper part of the funnel-shaped cap. At the same time, the color remains uneven, in the form of blurred spots located zonally.
The leg of the pale chanterelle is thick, yellowish-white. Its height is from 2 to 5 cm, the thickness of the lower part of the stem is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm. The stem of the mushroom consists of two parts, lower and upper. The shape of the lower part is cylindrical, a bit like a mace. The shape of the upper part of the leg is conical, tapering downward. The flesh of the fruiting body of the chanterelle is white, has a high density. On the upper conical part of the leg, large and as if adherent plates go down. They are similar in color to the cap, and their spores are characterized by a creamy golden hue.
Habitat and fruiting season
Chanterelle mushroom (Cantharellus pallens) is rare, prefers deciduous forests, areas with natural forest litter, or covered with moss and grass. Basically, the fungus grows in groups and colonies, like all varieties of the chanterelle family.
Fruiting of the chanterelle begins in June and ends in September.
Edibility
Pale chanterelles belong to the 2nd category of edibility. Despite the frightening name, which many people immediately associate with the pale toadstool and its toxicity, pale chanterelles do not pose a danger to human health. Moreover, this type of mushroom is tasty and healthy. The pale chanterelle (Cantharellus pallens) is in no way inferior in taste to the usual yellow chanterelles.
Similar species, distinctive features from them
Pale chanterelles are similar in appearance to false chanterelles (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca). However, the false chanterelle has a rich orange color, belongs to the category of inedible (poisonous) mushrooms, is characterized by a frequent arrangement of plates that are difficult to notice if you do not look closely. The leg of the false chanterelle is very thin, but inside it is empty.
Interesting information about the pale fox
The mushroom, called the white chanterelle, is characterized by color variability. In natural conditions, you can find mushrooms of this type, in which the color of the plates and caps can have both a light cream shade and a pale yellow or fawn.
The pale chanterelle has good taste. It, like other types of mushrooms from the chanterelle family, can be pickled, fried, stewed, boiled, salted. This type of edible mushroom is never wormy.