Craterellus tubaeformis
Cantharellus tubaeformis
(Photo: © Michael Wood)

Craterellus tubaeformis (Bull.) Quél.
Fl. mycol.: 36. 1888.

Common Names: Yellow foot, Winter Chanterelle, Funnel Chanterelle

Synonyms: Cantharellus infundibuliformis, Cantharellus tubaeformis, Craterellus infundibuliformis

  • Pileus

    Cap 2-4 cm broad, at first convex, then depressed, sometimes hollow in the center, trumpet-shaped; margin incurved, wavy; surface dry, brown to yellowish-brown, with fine dark scales; flesh thin, yellowish-brown; odor and taste mild.

  • Lamellae

    Gills buff-brown, lighter than cap, edges blunt, decurrent, widely separated, with cross-veins.

  • Stipe

    Stipe 2.5-7.0 cm long, 0.5-1.0 cm thick, buff-brown, smooth, equal, flattened to longitudinally grooved, sometimes hollow.

  • Spores

    Spores 8-12 x 5-8 µm, smooth, elliptical. Spores pale buff to white in deposit.

  • Habitat

    Scattered to clustered on soil, moss, and rotten wood in conifer woods during mid-winter.

  • Edibility

    EdibleEdible and excellent.

  • Comments

    This diminutive member of the chanterelle clan is recognized by a yellowish-brown, trumpet-shaped, sometimes hollow fruiting body, and blunt-edged widely spaced gills. Craterellus tubaeformis appears well after the start of the mushroom season with peak fruitings in January and February, thus one of its common names: Winter Mushroom.

  • There has long been much debate about whether this species belongs in the genus Cantharellus or the genus Craterellus. Recent molecular evidence shows that it belongs in Craterellus. The molecular evidence also indicates that we may not have the "real" Craterellus tubaeformis of Europe and the Eastern United States. This means our west coast species may eventually get a new name. Craterellus neotubaeformis has been suggested as a possible replacement name.

  • References

    Bigelow, H.E. (1978). The Cantharelloid Fungi of New England and Adjacent Areas. Mycologia 70(4): 707-756.
    Corner, E.J.H. (1966). A Monograph of Cantharelloid Fungi. Oxford University Press: London, England. 255 p.
    Pegler, D.N., Roberts, P.J. & Spooner, B.M. (1997). British Chanterelles and Tooth Fungi. Royal Botanic Gardens: Kew, England. 114 p.
    Smith, A.H. (1949). Mushrooms in their Natural Habitats. Sawyer's Inc: Portland, OR. 626 p.
    Smith, A.H. & Morse, E.E. (1947). The genus Cantharellus in the western United States. Mycologia 39(5): 497-534.
    Watling, R. & Turnbull, E. (1998). British Fungus Flora: Agarics and Boleti. Vol 8. Cantharellaceae, Gomphaceae, and Amyloid-Spored and Xeruloid Members of Tricholomataceae (excl. Mycena). Royal Botanic Garden: Edinburgh, Scotland. 189 p.

  • Other Descriptions and Photos

  • (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)

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