Hygrophoropsis Aurantiaca
Images By Michael Wood
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, also known as the false chanterelle, is a mushroom species that is found in North America and Europe.
Description
1. Cap: The cap of Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca is typically orange-yellow or orange-brown in color, and is usually smooth and slightly sticky when wet. It is convex in shape when young, but becomes flatter and sometimes slightly depressed in the center as it matures.
2. Gills: The gills of Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca are usually forked, and are decurrent, meaning they run down the stem. They are typically orange-yellow or yellowish-brown in color, and are often more widely spaced than the gills of true chanterelles.
3. Stem: The stem of Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca is typically the same color as the cap, and is usually smooth and slightly sticky when wet. It is typically tapered towards the base, and may have a slight bulge at the top.
4. Habitat: Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca is commonly found in deciduous and coniferous forests, often growing on the ground in groups or clusters.
5. Lookalikes: The most commonly confused species with Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca is the true chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius). While the false chanterelle may have some similarities to the true chanterelle, it has forked gills rather than ridges, and the gills of the false chanterelle are usually more widely spaced. Other potential lookalikes include the Jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus illudens), which is poisonous and has gills that glow in the dark, and the yellow-footed chanterelle (Craterellus tubaeformis), which has a tubular, trumpet-shaped cap and a hollow stem.
