First, thank you to all who contribute here - asking questions & answering them. I've learned a lot. This
thread has been helpful to me.
I've always been interested in mushrooms, but I've never had much desire to eat them. But yesterday I stumbled onto a patch and thought to myself "Chanterelles?"
Perhaps it's time my taste buds changed. But before I take the plunge, I'd appreciate some collective wisdom on whether or not I have properly identified these mushrooms. I have a friend is into mushrooms, and I've also reached out to him.
I believe these orange mushrooms are chanterelles because:
1) I found them in mid-June in the coastal southeast after 3 weeks of rain and overcast days.
2) They were growing individually (or at most, in a pair) near a wide ditch in an old-growth hardwood forest that is littered with dead tree limbs. If they were growing in clumps, they could be the jack-o-lantern mushroom.
3) The gills are primitive - not individual blades! - that run into the stem. Running your fingers over them do not damage them...they're "molded" into the mushroom. The gills also appear to "fork" going into the cap. Identifying primitive no-blade gills is the key characteristic.
4) The stems are solid. If they were hollow they'd be the false chanterelle.
5) Color appears uniform. I've read the false chanterelle may darken near the center. Overall, these mushrooms are golden yellow with white "interior" for the stems.
6) They smell sweet. I don't know/remember what apricots smell like, but I believe I read that in my research last night.
I have not yet done a spore print. More pictures available upon request.
Do you believe I have correctly identified these mushrooms as chanterelles?