Species library · Mushrooms

False Chanterelle: poisonous

Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

False Chanterelle is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from August to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Woodland edges. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca)

Photo: (c) Tim Sage, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tim Sage · iNaturalist

When False Chanterelle appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

False Chanterelle is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

⚠ Look-alikes

Brown roll-rimBrown roll-rim☠ deadly
Jack-o'-lantern mushroom☠ toxic
Eastern jack-o'-lantern☠ toxic

Look up False Chanterelle in the app

In the Forage app, False Chanterelle has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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False Chanterelle: common questions

Is False Chanterelle poisonous?

Yes. False Chanterelle is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does False Chanterelle appear?

False Chanterelle usually appears from August to November in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does False Chanterelle grow?

False Chanterelle is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges.

What can False Chanterelle be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Brown roll-rim, Jack-o'-lantern mushroom, Eastern jack-o'-lantern. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits