Assessment Notes

Justification

Cantharellus deceptivus is a species of golden chanterelle that was described from hardwood forests in Wisconsin, USA, and has also been recorded from Tennessee and North Carolina. Most records in the past would have been recorded under the catchall name for golden chanterelles, Cantharellus cibarius. It also appears to be morphologically indistinct from Cantharellus phasmatis, and can only be reliably distinguished by TEF-1 sequence data. Thus data to fully assess population size and trends is lacking. However, what data that are available suggest that this species is widespread, and not under threat, thus a Least Concern listing is reasonable.

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Taxonomic notes

Cantharellus deceptivus was described from Wisconsin, USA (Buyck et al. 2016). Currently, it is believed to be morphologically indistinct from Cantharellus phasmatis, and can only be distinguished by TEF-1 sequence data. This evidence is based on a low number of sequenced confirmed collections, and future research may reveal presently unknown morphological differences. 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

Cantharellus deceptivus has been reported from Wisconsin and North Carolina, USA (Buyck et al. 2016), and Tennessee (MyCoPortal 2021). It likely occurs in hardwood forests across a large swath of eastern North America.

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Population and Trends

Too little is known about Cantharellus deceptivus to make an assessment of population size and trends. Based on the location of known subpopulations (Wisconsin, Tennessee and North Carolina) and the status of hardwood forests in this region, the population of this species is likely widespread and stable.

Population Trend: Stable

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Habitat and Ecology

Cantharellus deceptivus is an ectomycorrhizal species associated with hardwoods; likely oak (Quercus spp.). Buyck et al. (2016) state "under hardwood trees including paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and big toothed aspen (Populus grandidentata)", but subsequent visits to the type locality found C. deceptivus "In mixed woods, associated with red oak" (P. Leacock pers. comm.).

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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 deceptivus are needed, detailing habitat and tree associations, so we can better understand the range and population extent of this species.

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Use and Trade

Cantharellus deceptivus (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. 2022. Cantharellus deceptivus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T198623000A198624359. Accessed on 24 November 2025.

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