Distribution: Broad Abundant through moist portions

Habitat: Moist ground

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Edibility: Edible

Edible

Gilled mushrooms that could be confused with golden chanterelles include Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Chroogomphus tomentosus, and, in California, Omphalotus olivascens H. E. Bigelow, O.K. Miller & Thiers. All three have sharp, blade-like gills (although those of H. aurantiaca can be deceivingly chanterelle-like), none of these is worth eating, and the latter is poisonous. Gomphus floccosus and G. kauffmanii both have blunt fold-like gills like chanterelles, however, both are generally more vase-like and have coarse scales on the cap. Dark individuals of the white chanterelle (C. subalbidus) and individuals of other golden chanterelle species such as C. cascadensis can be hard to differentiate from Pacific golden chanterelles, but seeing as how all are good edibles, the consequences of mis-identification are negligible.

Common name: Pacific Golden Chanterelle

Sources: Trudell, Steve and Joe Ammirati. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Portland, Timber Press, Inc. 2009.