Craterellus cornucopioides

Morphological Features:

Pileus up to 10 cm in diameter, variable in color depending on the specimen's moisture content, ranging from black to dull gray, with a smooth or slightly fibrillose-striate cuticle and an irregularly lobed margin. Trumpet-shaped, possessing a central cavity that extends almost to the base of the stipe.

Lamellae absent; the hymenium of this species is completely smooth and ash-gray, at most faintly wrinkled.

Stipe which can be considered a mere extension of the pileus; as mentioned, it is hollow, and its color is similar to that of the hymenium or slightly darker.

Flesh scant, elastic in consistency, gray to blackish-gray, with a pleasant aromatic odor and good flavor.

Habitat:

Collected in oak and beech forests, where it appears mainly during autumn months, in clusters of numerous specimens. It favors very moist soils.

Observations:

Choice edible despite its appearance, ideal as an accompaniment or garnish for all types of stews. It is also a fungus well-suited to drying for subsequent rehydration, or for grinding into a powder to season stews. It may be confused with Cantharellus cinereus, which, however, has a hymenium with well-defined ridges; this species is also edible.