Chanterelle (Smooth / Southern)

Cantharellus lateritius

✓ Edible

Always verify identification with multiple features before consuming

Cap color: yellow,orange
Cap size: medium
Gill color: yellow,cream
Gill attachment: decurrent
Stem: Pale yellow, solid; no ring
Texture: smooth
Habitat: forest floor
Fruiting season: summer,fall
Peak season: Summer–Fall (Jun–Sep, Southeast primarily)

Key Identification Features

Bright egg-yolk orange, cap margin wavy and irregular, gill surface nearly smooth to slightly wrinkled (not forking ridges like C. cibarius), apricot scent, common in Southeast oak-hickory forests

Preparation Notes

Treat identically to yellow chanterelle. Sauté in butter. Excellent flavor. Southeast-specific variant.

Regions Found

Region data not available

Look-Alikes

No documented look-alikes on record.

Safety disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Never eat a wild mushroom based solely on online information. Always verify identification using multiple reliable field guides and, when possible, consult an experienced forager or mycologist. When in doubt, don't eat it. Spore & Scout accepts no responsibility for identification errors or adverse reactions.