Horn of plenty

Description

The horn of plenty is a black or dark grey trumpet-shaped mushroom 3–8 cm across and up to about 12 cm tall. It is hollow inside, and the funnel passes smoothly into the stem. The underside, the outer surface, is smooth or slightly wrinkled and paler, grey. It has no gills or tubes.

It grows from August to November, usually in clumps, in deciduous and mixed forests, most often under beech and oak, in Poland especially in submontane areas. Because of its dark colour it is hard to spot in the leaf litter.

It is recognised by its trumpet shape, smooth underside and lack of gills. The most similar species is Craterellus undulatus. If you are not sure of the species, do not pick it and do not eat it. Because it is becoming increasingly rare, it is recommended not to collect it.

Identification features

Cap

Fruiting body trumpet- to funnel-shaped, diameter 0.5–8 cm (descriptions give different ranges), with a rolled-in margin that is wavy in mature specimens. The inside (upper side) is at first brown-black, later black-grey to black, with irregular sparse scales; rarely yellow. Outer side grey-brown, at first smooth, then wrinkled. Hygrophanous mushroom.

Hymenophore (underside of the cap)

The hymenium covers the outer, lower side of the fruiting body: surface smooth or with low, running-down folds, paler (grey). No gills or tubes. In mature specimens dusted whitish with spores.

Stem

Height 5–12 cm, exceptionally up to 15 cm. Hollow inside, widening from the base upwards like a funnel and passing smoothly into the cap (no distinct boundary). Often split in the upper part; surface smooth or wrinkled, grey-brown to grey-black, dusted with spores.

Flesh

Thin, at first grey-black, later black, fairly elastic and springy. Brittle when dried, regains elasticity when soaked. Taste insignificant, smell pleasant; turns black when cooked.

Spore print and spores

Spore print white or buff (descriptions give different colours). Spores elliptical, smooth, colourless, 8–15 × 5–8.5 µm (descriptions give different ranges).

Habitat and distribution

Ecology. Mycorrhizal fungus; most often under beech and oak and other deciduous trees, usually in moss in damp places, on heavy limestone soil. Grows in groups, usually in clumps.

Distribution. Northern Hemisphere: North and Central America, Europe, Asia; northern range reaches central Scandinavia and Hudson Bay; in the Southern Hemisphere only New Guinea (some descriptions also give Australia). In Poland most often in submontane areas, in deciduous and mixed forests. Generally common in Europe, but rare in some countries (e.g. the Netherlands); in Poland it is reported to be increasingly rare. Not legally protected in Poland.

Fruiting. In Poland from August to November (in Europe from June to November).

What can it be confused with?

• Craterellus undulatus (Polish: lejkowiec pełnotrzonowy) — Listed as the most similar; detailed differences — no data.
• Cantharellus cinereus — Rare, distantly related; has rudimentary gills, whereas the horn of plenty has a smooth hymenium.
• Polyozellus multiplex — Has a violet tinge.
• Craterellus sinuosus — Underside more wrinkled, spores more yellowish.

Never rely on a single feature. If you are not sure — do not pick it; show the mushroom to a qualified mushroom expert.

Interesting facts

• The name “cornucopia” refers to the horn of plenty from Greek mythology; in English the name “trumpet of the dead” is also used.
• According to a Portuguese study, 100 g of the dry mushroom contains about 69 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates (mainly mannitol) and 5 g of fat (about 378 kcal).
• It is a source of biologically active vitamin B12 (like the golden chanterelle).
• The first description is by Linnaeus from 1753 (as Peziza cornucopioides).