Chanterelle pale (White chanterelle) (Cantharellus pallens) photo and description

Chanterelle pale (Cantharellus pallens)

Chanterelle pale (lat. Chanterelle pallens) is a species of yellow chanterelle. The fungus is also called light chanterelles, foxes Chantharellus cibaruis var. pallenus Pilat or white chanterelles.

External description of the fungus

The cap of the pale chanterelle reaches 1-5 cm in diameter. Sometimes there are fruiting bodies, the diameter of which is 8 cm. The distinctive features of this mushroom are the sinuous edge of the cap and an unusual funnel-shaped shape. In young pale chanterelles, the edges of the cap remain even, but at the same time they are bent down. As it matures, a sinuous edge forms and the curvature becomes smaller. The pale chanterelle differs from other varieties of the chanterelle family by a pale-yellow or white-yellow shade of the upper part of the funnel-shaped hat. At the same time, the color remains uneven, in the form of blurry spots located zonally.

The leg of a pale chanterelle is thick, yellowish-white. Its height is from 2 to 5 cm, the thickness of the lower part of the leg is from 0.5 to 1.5 cm. The mushroom leg consists of two parts, lower and upper. The shape of the lower part is cylindrical, a bit like a mace. The shape of the upper part of the leg is cone-shaped, tapering downwards. The pulp of the fruiting body of the pale chanterelle is white, has a high density. On the upper conical part of the leg, large and, as it were, adherent plates descend down. They are similar in color to the hat, and their spores are characterized by a creamy golden hue.

Habitat and fruiting season

Pale chanterelle mushroom (Cantharellus pallens) is rare, preferring deciduous forests, areas with natural forest floor, or covered with moss and grass. Basically, the fungus grows in groups and colonies, like all varieties of the chanterelle family.

The fruiting of the pale chanterelle begins in June and ends in September.

Edibility

Pale chanterelles belong to the 2nd category of edibility. Despite the frightening name, which many people immediately associate with the pale grebe and its poisonousness, pale chanterelles do not pose a danger to human health. Moreover, this type of mushroom is tasty and healthy. Chanterelle pale (Cantharellus pallens) in taste is not inferior to ordinary yellow chanterelles.

Similar species, distinctive features from them

Pale chanterelles are similar in appearance to false chanterelles (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca). However, the false chanterelle has a rich orange color, belongs to the category of inedible (poisonous) mushrooms, and is characterized by a frequent arrangement of plates that are difficult to notice if you do not look closely. The leg of the false chanterelle is very thin, and inside it is empty.

Interesting facts about the pale fox

The mushroom, called the white chanterelle, is distinguished by its variability in color. Under natural conditions, you can find mushrooms of this species, in which the color of the plates and caps can be either light cream, or pale yellow or fawn.

Chanterelle pale has good taste. It, like other types of mushrooms from the chanterelle family, can be pickled, fried, stewed, boiled, salted. This type of edible mushroom is never wormy.