Craterellus



Craterellus is a genus of generally edible fungi similar to the closely related chanterelles, with some species recently reassigned to this genus. They are distinguished by their lack of gill-like structures on the underside of their caps.

Black chanterelle, also black trumpet, horn of plenty, or trumpet of the dead, are the common names for the edible mushroom Craterellus cornucopioides. The Cornucopia (kôr'nykō`pēə), in Greek mythology, referred to the magnificent horn of the goat (or goat of the nymph) Amalthea, that filled itself with whatever meat or drink its owner requested. It has become the symbol of plenty.

The mushroom is dark coloured, almost black and looks rather unattractive, but has a very good flavour. It is hard to find because of its dark color, which easily blends in with the leaf litter on the forest floor.

The yellowfoot or funnel chanterelle (Craterellus tubaeformis) is a yellowish-brown and trumpet-shaped chanterelle found in great numbers late in the mushroom season, thus earning the common name winter mushroom. The cap is convex and sometimes hollow down the middle, and because of this it is also known as funnel chanterelle. The gills are widely separated, and of lighter color than the cap. It grows on moss or rotten wood, is found mostly in spruce forests. It is an excellent food mushroom, especially fried or in soups.

Both species are gathered commercially and, unlike Cantharellus, can be easily preserved by drying.