Craterellus cornicopoides

Humboldt Field Research Institute

Cantharelloid Fungi of Maine Author(s): Richard L. Homola Source: Maine Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2 (1993), pp. 5-12 Published by: Humboldt Field Research Institute Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3858219 Accessed: 18/06/2009 15:33
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1993

1993

MAINENATURALIST1(2): 5-12 1(2):5-12

CANTHARELLOID FUNGI OF MAINE
RICHARD L. HOMOLA *

ABSTRACT - Colored photographs with short captions are furnished for several taxa of cantharelloid fungi. In addition, a check list of thirteen species reportedfor Maine and a dichotomous key to the cantharelloid genera are given.

Members of the cantharelloid fungi are abundant on soil in hardwood and softwood forests.Some species grow commonly on Sphagnum in bogs. In Maine, cantharelloid fungi are found throughout summer and into late fall (Bigelow 1978; Smith 1968). After truffles and morels, the chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) is the most highly prized edible wild mushroom. It is picked and sold commercially along the United States west coast. Hunting wild chan-

Photo. 1. Cantharellus cibariusshowing the characteristic egg-yolk pigmentation of the entire fruiting body. The mature fruiting body on the right shows the prominent obtuse forked ridges with a few vein connectives. Cantharellus cibarius has a characteristic fruity apricot-like odor and a very acrid taste when uncooked. The flesh becomes orange-brown when cut or bruised. * Plant Biology and Pathology Department, University of Maine,Orono, ME 04469-5722

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Maine Naturalist

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terelles in July and August in Maine is an enjoyable recreational activity. However, not all cantharelloid fungi are edible. Some people get digestive upset and diarrhea from eating the scaly chanterelle (Gomphus floccosus) (Ammirati et al. 1985; Lincoff and Mitchel 1977). Two gilled orange mushrooms, the false chanterelle(Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca [Wulfen ex Fr.] Maire) and the jack-o-lantern (Omphalotus illudens [Schw.] Sacc.), are commonly mistaken for Cantharellus cibarius. The jack-o-lantern is poisonous. A gilled hymenophore is

Figure 1. 1. Cantharellus cibarius showing important morphological features of the fruiting body (basidioma or basidiocarp); A. cap (pileus). B. stalk (stipe). C. hymenophore. 2.Hymenophore of a lamellate (gilled) Agaricales fungus (Lactarius sp.) showing broad acute lamellae and lamellulae (short lamella unattached to stipe). The arrow points to the dark line representing the gill edge. 3. Hymenophore of a non-lamellate fungus (Gomphus floccosus) showing the narrow obtuse edged ridges. The arrow points to the broad light areas representing the ridge edge.

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R. L....