Assessment Notes

Justification

Cantharellus flavus is a species of golden chanterelle that was described from hardwood forests in Wisconsin, USA, and has also been recorded from DNA confirmed collections from Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas and a number of photographic records from across the eastern USA. Most historic records would have been recorded under the catchall name for golden chanterelles, Cantharellus cibarius. It also appears to be indistinguishable from C. tenuithrix in the field and can only be reliably distinguished by TEF-1 sequence data. Thus data to assess population size and trends are lacking, but based on the species' presumed habitat and its range based on sequenced confirmed collections, it is likely this species is widespread, common, and occurs in a stable habitat. Therefore, a Least Concern (LC) listing is warranted.

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Taxonomic notes

Cantharellus flavus was described from Wisconsin, USA (Foltz et al. 2013). Currently Cantharellus flavus is believed to be indistinguishable from C. tenuithrix in the field (Buyck et al. 2016), and requires microscopic and/or TEF-1 sequence data analysis. Previous to work published on golden chanterelles in North America (Buyck and Hofstetter 2011, Foltz et al. 2013), records of this species would have been recorded under the catchall name Cantharellus cibarius.

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Geographic range

The geographic range remains poorly known for Cantharellus flavus, due to the past records being called by the catchall name C. cibarius, and the current difficulty in identifying golden chanterelles to species without TEF-1 sequence data analysis. Sequenced-confirmed subpopulations of Cantharellus flavus have been recorded from Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas (Foltz et al. 2013, Buyck et al. 2016, MyCoPortal 2021), and photographic records cover much of eastern North America (Mushroom Observer 2021), suggesting a widespread species.

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Population and Trends

Too little is known about Cantharellus flavus to make a robust assessment on population size and trends. Based on the location of sequenced-confirmed subpopulations in Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas (Foltz et al. 2013, Buyck et al. 2016, MyCoPortal 2021) and photographic records from much of eastern USA (Mushroom Observer 2021) this species is widespread. The habitat in which C. flavus occurs is stable, and no decline of this species has been reported (although data to fully assess trends are lacking).

Population Trend: stable

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Habitat and Ecology

Cantharellus flavus is an ectomycorrhizal species likely associated with hardwoods; especially oak (Quercus spp.) but possibly with conifers too. Buyck et al. (2016) note collections from "oak-hickory forest on sandy soil" and "upland pine forests".

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Threats

No specific threats have been identified with regards to this species.

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Conservation Actions

No specific conservation actions have been identified with regards to this species at this time. More documented collections of Cantharellus flavus are needed, and these should detail habitat and tree association so we can better understand the range, ecological requirements and population trends of this species.

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Use and Trade

Cantharellus flavus (and all other golden chanterelles in North America) are edible, and are indiscriminately collected by foragers and small-scale commercial pickers.

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Source and Citation

Siegel, N. 2021. Cantharellus flavus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T198623052A198623972. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T198623052A198623972.en .Downloaded on 25 September 2021

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• Country occurrence