Cinnabar Chanterelle vs Samt-Pfifferling

Cantharellus cinnabarinus compared with Cantharellus friesii

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Cinnabar Chanterelle	Samt-Pfifferling
Kingdom same	Fungi (Pilze)	Fungi (Pilze)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Cantharellales (Pfifferlingsartige)	Cantharellales (Pfifferlingsartige)
Family same	Hydnaceae	Hydnaceae
Genus same	Cantharellus	Cantharellus
Species	Cantharellus cinnabarinus	Cantharellus friesii

Evolutionary Relationship

Cinnabar Chanterelle and Samt-Pfifferling share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Cantharellus.

Conservation Status

Cinnabar Chanterelle

LC — Least Concern

Samt-Pfifferling

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Cinnabar Chanterelle	Samt-Pfifferling
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Cinnabar Chanterelle

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Norway and United States.

Samt-Pfifferling

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Cinnabar Chanterelle

The cinnabar chanterelle (Cantharellus cinnabarinus) is a striking mushroom in the family Cantharellaceae, found primarily in eastern North America, from New England and the Great Lakes states south to the Gulf Coast, with records also from parts of Central America and the Caribbean. It is distinguished by its vivid cinnabar-red to orange-red coloration throughout—cap, false gills, stipe, and flesh—making it one of the most visually distinctive North American fungi. It grows in mycorrhizal association with deciduous trees, particularly oaks and beeches, in humid hardwood forest during summer and autumn. The cap is typically 2–5 centimeters across, wavy-edged, and funnel-shaped at maturity. Like other chanterelles, the cinnabar chanterelle has false gills—blunt, forking ridges rather than true blade-like gills—which is a diagnostic feature of the genus. The species is classified as Least Concern. It is edible and considered flavorful, though smaller than the golden chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) and thus less commercially significant. Populations are dependent on intact oak and beech woodland, and the species benefits from the conservation of eastern North American deciduous forest. Some authorities also recognize this species in parts of Mexico and Guatemala, suggesting a broader range.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway