[3][4] Despite its characteristic features, C. cibarius can be confused with species such as the poisonous Omphalotus illudens.

At one time, all yellow or golden chanterelles in North America had been classified as Cantharellus cibarius.

[10] In 2018, an Asian species belonging to the C. cibarius complex has been described and sequenced, C. anzutake, recorded in Japan and Korea.

[3][12] The species can resemble the dangerously poisonous Omphalotus illudens (eastern jack-o'lantern)[14] and Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca (the false chanterelle).

The species grows in Europe from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean Basin, mainly in deciduous and coniferous forests[3][12][5][6] and typically from June to December.