The main distinguishing feature of chanterelles is that they have gill ridges or folds as opposed to fleshy gills. Our chanterelle in the east is different from the western chanterelle, which is much bigger. Our most common chanterelle is not C. cibarius, but C. lateritius. What we call Catharellus cibarius may be several species. 040-001

« Differences between this and Clitocybe nuda: Cortinarius alboviolaceus has a dry cap, bulbous base, rusty brown s.p., but won’t see this till mushroom matures sufficiently. In early stages, might see a cortina or evidence of one on stipe. Also resembles Laccaria purpurea, which has a white s.p. There are several purple corts that can easily be confused with the blewit and each other. Eating any cort is not recommended as we haven’t studied all of them for edibility. Most that we have studied contain a toxin called orellanine, which damages the kidneys after a latent period of between 2 and 14 days after being consumed. 15% of cases of orellanine poisoning from eating corts have been fatal, which is a good reason for making a s.p. 039-001
EDIBLE MUSHROOMS & POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES by Dianna Smith
It has a soft velvety cap and stem (chanterelles have a smooth, firm cap). Thin flesh (unlike chanterelle). Has repeatedly forked, close, true gills (not blunt ridges like the chanterelle). Found on the ground under conifers, often near rotting wood in summer and fall. Saprobic. Considered edible by some authors and poisonous by others. It is known to cause hallucinations in some people. Genetically this mushroom is related to the boletus! 041-001 »