Cantharellales

The order Cantharellales is a group of fungi that includes the chanterelles, the tooth fungi, and some club fungi. Their hymenium consists of thick gill-like folds, spines, or in some cases an almost smooth surface. It was once thought to be a 'transition group' to the true gill-fungi (Agaricales) because of its rudimentary gill-like folds, but molecular phylogenetic studies have clearly established that this group represents its own evolutionary line.

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Important Genera

The examples are of Northern European fungi.

Cantharellus

The hymenium of these fungi is covered by forking gill-like ridges ('false gills') and unlike Craterellus the stem is solid. They have smooth spores.

The chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) is a popular edible mushroom in Europe, often being sold in markets. It is apricot-coloured and also smells of apricots.

Craterellus

In this genus, the hymenium is more or less smooth and the stipe is hollow. The best-known European species is the Horn of Plenty (or "Trumpet of the Dead"), Craterellus cornucopioides. Craterellus tubaeformis (= C. infundibuliformis) is also sold commercially.

Hydnum

Viewed from above these fungi look like agarics (ordinary gilled mushrooms) but underneath they have spines instead of gills. Species: the Hedgehog fungus Hydnum repandum is quite common, H. rufescens is similar but redder.

References

• Régis Courtecuisse, Bernard Duhem: Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe (Delachaux & Niestlé, 1994).