Cantharellus cibarius var. cibarius

Cantharellus cibarius can be recognized by the hymenophore which is ridged and blunt-edged, the smooth pileus, and the Clitocyboid stature. In northern California, there are two species in this group. Cantharellus formosus is recognized by the convex shape of the pileus, the pinkish color of the hymenophore and of the basidiospore deposite, and the tendency of the hymenophore to stain brown. Cantharellus cibarius var. cibarius has an irregular outline, a yellow to orange hymenophore, basidiospores that are yellowish in deposite, and a non-staining hymenophore. (all of these features except the spore deposite are demonstrated in the picture above.)

Cantharellus cibarius var. pallidifolius has been collected one in Jackson State Forest and may be synonymous with Cantharellus formous since both taxa have a pinkish spore deposite and hymenophore. However, C. cibarius var. pallidifolius is associated with tanbark oak, has a hymenophore that is usually composed of blunt ridges or folds that may become poroid, and the pileus is more irregular in shape and paler yellow in color. C. formosus is associated with Douglas fir or Stika spruce, has a hymenophore composed of well developed folds, a strongly convex pileus, and a dark yellow pileus.