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Jack o’lantern mushrooms<\/a> are found throughout much of the United States and in scattered regions of Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These mushrooms grow primarily<\/a> in hardwood forests, as they feed off dead and decaying wood. They can often be found growing at the base of dead trees or on fallen logs, though they sometimes appear to be growing out of the ground if the source wood is buried under dirt or forest debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jack o\u2019lanterns grow primarily in the summer and early fall, typically from July through October depending on region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These mushrooms are bright orange-yellow in color. They have smooth, umbrella-shaped caps that often flatten out and become wavy as they age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have deep-set gills on the underside of the caps. Their stems are the same color as the caps, though they become darker and more narrow toward the base. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes young mushrooms will produce a faint green glow at night, as they are bioluminescent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jack o\u2019lanterns tend to grow in large, tightly-packed clusters, though they can sometimes be found in smaller clusters or growing more spread out as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jack o\u2019lanterns are toxic; they are not considered deadly to the average healthy adult, but they can cause several days of digestive upset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chanterelle mushrooms<\/a> are widely distributed<\/a> throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chanterelles, like jack o\u2019lanterns, are commonly found in hardwood forests. Unlike jack o\u2019lanterns, they don\u2019t grow from dead and decaying wood; rather, they have a symbiotic relationship with the roots of living trees, so they are typically found growing on the ground several feet from the base of trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chanterelles grow throughout early summer into early fall. They can be found anytime between May and October in many regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chanterelles can come in many different bright colors, including yellow, orange, red, blue, white, and black. The yellow chanterelles are most common in most areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chanterelle mushrooms have wavy, funnel-shaped caps. They don\u2019t have gills, though many varieties have stiff, gill-like ridges running from the underside of the cap down the stem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are solid and white inside and can be pulled apart easily. They tend to come apart in much the same way as a stick of string cheese does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chanterelles may grow in clusters of three to six mushrooms, but they tend to grow more scattered on the forest floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chanterelles are edible and delicious, with a unique flavor that is mildly sweet and peppery. They are widely sought after by gourmet chefs and mushroom lovers throughout the world and can be identified by their fruity, apricot-like aroma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On paper, these two types of mushrooms may appear quite different, but they are often confused by novice foragers. And, considering jack o\u2019lanterns are toxic and chanterelles are edible, these are two mushrooms you don\u2019t want to confuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s take a closer look at some of their similarities and differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suppose you\u2019re out mushroom hunting in summer and you come across a brightly colored patch of mushrooms. How can you be certain to correctly identify them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might help to watch a video like the one below to get a visual comparison of jack o\u2019lanterns and chanterelles.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is a Chanterelle?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Jack O\u2019Lantern Vs. Chanterelle: Similarities and Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Similarities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Differences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/li>Jack O\u2019Lantern Vs. Chanterelle: How to Tell Them Apart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n