Similar Species
Unlike the chanterelles, the Jack-o'-lantern has true, sharp, non-forking gills; this is possibly the simplest trait for distinguishing between the two. Furthermore, if the Jack o'Lantern's stem is peeled, the inside is orange, while the chanterelle is a paler white on the inside stem.
The similarly poisonous mushroom Tsukiyotake (Omphalotus japonicus (Kawam.) Kirchm. & O.K. Mill., also known as Lampteromyces japonicus (Kawam.) Sing.), found in Japan and eastern Asia, emits light similar to that of the Jack o'Lantern mushroom and contains the same poison, illudin. It was confirmed in 2003 that Tsukiyotake is a relative of the Jack-o'-lantern mushroom. The poisonous Western Jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olivascens), abundant from southern to central California, is also similar to the chanterelle, but can be distinguished, as its flesh is never white.
Read more about this topic: Omphalotus Olearius
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