Assessment Notes

Justification

Cantharellus septentrionalis is a species of golden chanterelle that was described from Michigan, USA (Smith 1968), but the name was not used until recently (Buyck et al. 2016). Buyck et al. (2016) stated that C. altipes is "possibly a synonym of C. septentrionalis", however, we are considering them to be synonymous for this assessment. Pre-2016, most records would have been recorded under the catchall name for golden chanterelles, Cantharellus cibarius. Thus data to make a robust assessment on population size and trends is lacking, but based on available data, this species occurs over a widespread area, and is common in the Gulf States, therefore it is listed as Least Concern (LC).

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Taxonomic notes

Cantharellus septentrionalis was described from Michigan, USA (Smith 1968), from a 1963 collection. Besides another A.H. Smith collection from the same location (MyCoPortal 2021), the name was not applied to any other collections until research by Buyck et al. (2016). In 2011, Cantharellus altipes was described from Texas, USA (Buyck and Hofstetter 2011), who mentioned it likely was conspecific with C. cibarius var. longipes, described from New York state (Peck 1903). Petersen (1976) considered C. cibarius var. longipes a 'nomen dubium' name. Phylogenetic analysis of the Holotype of C. septentrionalis found it to align with C. altipes (Buyck et al. 2016), and microscopic features of the two species match, even though the macro-morphology is different. Buyck et al. (2016) stated that C. altipes is "possibly a synonym of C. septentrionalis", however, we are considering them to be synonymous for this assessment.

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Geographic range

The geographic range of Cantharellus septentrionalis remains poorly known, due to difficulty of positive identification without TEF-1 sequence analysis, and most golden chanterelles being recorded as C. cibarius in North America prior to taxonomic work on this group (Buyck and Hofstetter 2011, Foltz et al. 2013).

Cantharellus septentrionalis appears to be widespread in eastern USA, common in the Gulf States (reported as C. altipes, Buyck and Hofstetter 2011), New York (reported as C. cibarius var. longipes, Peck 1903, Buyck and Hofstetter 2011) and Michigan (type of C. septentrionalis, Smith 1968). More collections are needed to fully understand the distribution of this species.

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Population and Trends

Cantharellus septentrionalis is a common species in the southeast USA (Buyck and Hofstetter 2011), and apparently less common, but widespread in the northern states across eastern North America. Data to assess trends and population size will require more sequenced-confirmed collections, due to the difficulty of distinguishing this species from other golden chanterelles.

Population Trend: unknown

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Habitat and Ecology

Cantharellus septentrionalis is an ectomycorrhizal species, with an apparent affinity for sandy soil. Buyck and Hofstetter (2011) state "we have always found it on sandy soil in oak or oak-hickory forest with intrusion of pine. Whether it is associated with oak or pine or both, or perhaps with other conifers in more northern states (as suggested by Peck’s description of C. cibarius var. longipes) remains to be examined". More collections with detailed habitat notes are needed to fully delimit this species' preferences.

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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. A better understanding on population numbers, distribution, trends, and habitat requirements of Cantharellus septentrionalis is required as is further investigation into the taxonomic issues with C. septentrionalis and C. altipes.

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Use and Trade

Cantharellus septentrionalis (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. 2023. Cantharellus septentrionalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T223773274A223773276. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T223773274A223773276.en .Accessed on 8 January 2025

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• Country occurrence