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A New, Commercially Valuable Chanterelle Species, Cantharellus californicus sp. nov., Associated with Live Oak in California, USA

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Abstract

A New, Commercially Valuable Chanterelle Species, Cantharellus californicus sp. nov., Associated with Live Oak in California, USA. The prominent golden chanterelle of California’s oak woodlands is characterized as a new species, Cantharellus californicus sp. nov., using molecular and morphological data. Our observations indicate that it is the largest Cantharellus species in the world, with individual sporocraps commonly weighing 1/2 kilogram (kg) (or 1 pound) or more when mature. Other Cantharellus species in California are compared and evaluated, including their known ectomycorrhizal hosts. The California oak chanterelle is an economically valuable species, and some observations on its commercial harvest are presented.

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Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to the following people for providing collections, guidance, and valuable information for this study: Steve Bowen, David Campbell, David Chambers, David Eichorn, Sarah Flowers, Connie Green, Lisa Grubisha, Tonya Haff, Freddie Menge, Alan Mohr, Steven Pencall, Ron Petersen, Randex, Kevin Sadlier, Hugh Smith, Trent Valvo, Debbie Viess, and Nathan Wilson. We also thank Erica Swenson for her invaluable laboratory work, Scott Redhead for his valuable suggestions for improving the manuscript, and Jim Trappe for providing the Latin diagnosis.

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  1. Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, 3200 Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    David Arora & Susie M. Dunham

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  1. David Arora
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  2. Susie M. Dunham
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Correspondence to David Arora.

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Arora, D., Dunham, S.M. A New, Commercially Valuable Chanterelle Species, Cantharellus californicus sp. nov., Associated with Live Oak in California, USA. Econ Bot 62, 376–391 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-008-9042-7

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