Red chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis rufa)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Boletales
- Family: Hygrophoropsidaceae (Hygrophoropsis)
- Genus: Hygrophoropsis (Gigroforopsis)
- Species: Hygrophoropsis rufa (Red fox)
Synonyms :
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca var. rufa
This species was first described in 1972 as a species of the false chanterelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca. It was raised to the status of an independent species in 2008, and in 2013 the legitimacy of this increase was confirmed at the genetic level.
Description
The cap is up to 10 cm in diameter, orange-yellow, yellowish-orange, brownish-orange or brown, with small brown scales that densely cover the surface of the cap in the center and gradually fade towards the edges. The edge of the cap is bent inward. The leg is the same color as the cap, and is also covered with small brown scales, slightly widened at the base. The plates are yellow-orange or orange, bifurcating and descending along the leg. The pulp is orange, does not change color in the air. The smell is described as both mild and ozone, reminiscent of a working laser printer. The taste is inexpressive.
Ecology and distribution
It lives in mixed and coniferous forests on all kinds of wood residues, from rotten stumps to chips and sawdust. Possibly widespread in Europe - but there is not enough information yet. (Author's note: since this species grows in the same places as the false chanterelle, I can say that I personally came across it much less often)
Microscopy
Spores are elliptical, thick-walled, 5–7 × 3–4 µm, dextrinoid (stained red-brown with Meltzer's reagent).
The structure of the skin of the cap resembles hair cut by a hedgehog. The hyphae in the outer layer are located almost parallel to each other and perpendicular to the surface of the cap, and these hyphae are of three types: thick, with thick walls and colorless; threadlike; and with golden brown granular content.
Edibility
Like the false chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), the mushroom is considered conditionally edible, with low nutritional qualities.
Similar species
The false chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca is distinguished by the absence of brown scales on the cap; thin-walled spores 6.4–8.0 × 4.0–5.2 µm in size; and the skin of the cap, formed by hyphae, which are located parallel to its surface.