# Pacific Golden Chanterelle (*cantharellus formosus*)

The Pacific Golden Chanterelle is a beautiful mushroom that grows in the forest. Its bright yellow color and unique shape make it a fun find for little explorers!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Pacific Golden Chanterelles thrive in damp forests, often near coniferous trees.
- **Also known as:** Chanterelle Mushroom, Pacific Chanterelle

![Pacific Golden Chanterelle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cantharellus_formosus_121420.jpg&width=800)

Photo: This image was created by user Britney (Riverdweller) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user here, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cantharellus_formosus_121420.jpg)

## Appearance

The Pacific Golden Chanterelle has a vibrant golden-yellow to orange cap with wavy, irregular edges and a trumpet-like shape. Its distinguishing feature is blunt, vein-like folds running down the stem, not true gills. The firm flesh inside is pale yellowish.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Cantharellales
- **Family:** Hydnaceae
- **Genus:** Cantharellus

## Interesting facts

- It can live for many years underground, sending up new mushrooms annually!
- Its 'gills' are actually blunt, wrinkled folds, not true blade-like gills!
- The name 'chanterelle' comes from a Greek word meaning 'little cup' or 'goblet'!
- This mushroom cannot be easily grown on farms; it prefers wild forests!

## Special abilities

- **Root Whisperer:** Pacific Golden Chanterelle has a 'Root Whisperer' ability that helps trees get water and nutrients from the soil, in exchange for sugars!
- **Scent Signal:** Pacific Golden Chanterelle can use its 'Scent Signal' power to release a yummy apricot-like smell, guiding animals and humans to its location!
- **Forest Camouflage:** Pacific Golden Chanterelle has a 'Forest Camouflage' ability that helps it hide amongst fallen leaves, protecting it from hungry foragers!

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-12 cm
- **Edible:** edible
- **Size:** 3-10 cm
- **Growth Substrate:** soil
- **Season:** Late summer to fall, sometimes early winter
- **Spore Color:** Cream to pale yellowish

## Ecological connections

- **Symbiotic with:** [Douglas fir](https://www.snappit.app/explore/douglas-fir) (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) — Forms a vital underground partnership with its roots.
- **Symbiotic with:** [Western Hemlock](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-hemlock) (*Tsuga heterophylla*) — Exchanges nutrients and water with this tree.
- **Symbiotic with:** [Coast Live Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coast-live-oak) (*Quercus agrifolia*) — Shares resources through its root network.
- **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Deer sometimes forage for these tasty mushrooms.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching or picking wild mushrooms.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pacific Golden Chanterelle?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Pacific Golden Chanterelle?

5-12 cm

### Is Pacific Golden Chanterelle edible?

edible

### How big is Pacific Golden Chanterelle?

3-10 cm

### Where is Pacific Golden Chanterelle usually found?

Pacific Golden Chanterelles thrive in damp forests, often near coniferous trees.

### What does Pacific Golden Chanterelle grow on?

soil

### When is Pacific Golden Chanterelle in season?

Late summer to fall, sometimes early winter

### What color are Pacific Golden Chanterelle spores?

Cream to pale yellowish

## Where to spot

- [Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-elphinstone-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Pacific Golden Chanterelle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-golden-chanterelle)