Black Trumpet
Craterellus cornucopioides
The Black Trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides), also known as the Horn of Plenty or Trumpet of the Dead, is a highly prized edible mushroom celebrated for its distinctive dark, funnel-shaped fruiting body and rich, smoky aroma.
Despite its somber appearance—dark gray to nearly black—it is one of the most sought-after wild mushrooms in European and North American cuisine, often described as the "black truffle of mushrooms."
• Found in deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly under beech, oak, and other broadleaf trees
• Fruits from late summer through autumn (typically July–November in the Northern Hemisphere)
• In Europe, it is especially common in France, where it is known as "trompette de la mort" and is a staple of traditional cuisine
• In North America, it ranges from the eastern seaboard through the Midwest and Pacific Northwest
• The species forms ectomycorrhizal associations with living trees, meaning it establishes a mutually beneficial relationship with tree roots
The genus Craterellus is closely related to the chanterelles (genus Canthallerella), and recent molecular phylogenetic studies have confirmed its placement within the family Cantharellaceae.
Fruiting Body:
• Funnel-shaped (infundibuliform), typically 3–10 cm tall and 2–6 cm wide at the apex
• Outer surface is dark gray to black, sometimes with a faint brownish tinge, and finely wrinkled or smooth
• Inner (fertile) surface is smooth to slightly wrinkled, lacking true gills—instead bearing shallow, vein-like ridges or nearly smooth hymenium
• Margin of the cup is wavy, lobed, and often slightly inrolled
• Flesh is thin, brittle, and dark
• When dried, the mushroom develops an intense smoky, almost truffle-like aroma
Spores:
• Spore print is white to pale cream
• Spores are smooth, ellipsoid, approximately 10–14 × 6–8 μm
The absence of true gills and the smooth-to-slightly-ridged hymenium distinguish Craterellus cornucopioides from superficially similar dark mushrooms.
• Primarily associates with beech (Fagus), oak (Quercus), and other hardwood species
• Also found in association with conifers in some regions
• Grows on the forest floor among leaf litter, often partially buried and extremely difficult to spot due to its dark coloration against the forest floor
• Fruits singly, in small groups, or occasionally in large clusters ("troop lines") in favorable conditions
• Prefers acidic to neutral soils rich in organic matter
• Thrives in moist, shaded woodland environments with good drainage
• The mycorrhizal relationship benefits both the fungus and the host tree: the fungus enhances the tree's nutrient and water uptake via its hyphal network, while the tree supplies the fungus with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis
Foraging Tips:
• Search in mature deciduous woodlands, especially under beech and oak, during late summer and autumn
• Look carefully among leaf litter—the dark coloration provides excellent camouflage
• Once a patch is found, it often fruits in the same location year after year
• Best harvested when young and firm; older specimens may become soft or insect-damaged
• Brush clean in the field; avoid soaking in water as the thin flesh absorbs moisture readily
Preservation:
• Drying is the preferred method—halve or slice and dry at low temperature; dried specimens develop a more intense flavor than fresh ones
• Can also be frozen, though texture softens upon thawing
Fun Fact
The Black Trumpet's dark coloration and ground-level growth habit make it one of the hardest mushrooms to spot, earning it a reputation among foragers as a "hidden treasure." • The French name "trompette de la mort" (Trumpet of the Dead) likely refers to its dark, funereal appearance rather than any danger—it is entirely edible and highly prized • The species name "cornucopioides" means "resembling a cornucopia" (horn of plenty), a reference to its funnel shape and its abundance as a food source • Despite its dark, unassuming look, it is considered a choice edible mushroom, often ranked alongside chanterelles and morels in terms of culinary value • Dried Black Trumpet has a remarkably concentrated smoky aroma that has been compared to black truffle, and it is sometimes used as a more affordable substitute in gourmet cooking • The genus Craterellus was only recently confirmed (via DNA analysis) to belong in the Cantharellaceae family alongside chanterelles, resolving decades of taxonomic debate—the two genera share key features including the smooth or shallowly ridged fertile surface rather than true blade-like gills
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