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Order: Cantharellales;
Family: Cantharellaceae;
Genus: Craterellus;
Species and synonyms: Black chanterelle, Horn of plenty, Trumpet of death, Black trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides, Peziza cornucopioides, Cantharellus cornucopioides, Merulius cornucopioides, Sterbeeckia cornucopioides).

GBIF: Craterellus cornucopioides (L.) Pers.

Cap: fruiting bodies are tubular or vase-shaped, tapering toward the base, 5-12 cm tall, hollow — the depression of the cap extends into the cavity of the stem. The cap is in the form of a deep funnel (3-8 cm in diameter) with an outward-curled wavy margin, which in mature specimens becomes torn or lobed. The upper (inner) surface of the fruiting body is fibrous, finely scaly; in young specimens — black-brown, in mature specimens — dark gray or almost black. The lower (outer) surface is grayish-brown, covered with smooth (in young specimens), tuberculate or slightly wrinkled hymenium of a grayish or bluish color; after spore maturation it appears dusted. When dried, the mushroom becomes lighter. Occasionally light yellow specimens are found, previously distinguished as a separate species Craterellus konradii. The pseudogills characteristic of chanterelles are absent in the horn of plenty. Spore powder is white or yellowish. Spores measure 8-14 x 5-9 µm, ovoid-elliptical, smooth, colorless. The flesh of the mushroom is very thin, brittle, membranous, in young specimens dark gray, gray-black or black-brown, in mature specimens — almost black. The odor and taste of raw mushrooms is practically absent; on the contrary, it intensifies during heat treatment and drying.

Stem: very short, 0.8-1 cm thick, narrowed toward the base, tough, concolorous with the cap.

Habitat: grows under oaks, hazel, less commonly under spruce trees, in large groups.

Fruiting period: August — September.

Edibility: the most delicious and aromatic of our chanterelles, considered a delicacy in Europe and Canada on par with truffles and morels. It differs from the gray chanterelle by the smooth lower surface of the cap and the depression extending all the way to the base of the stem.

Similar species:

The horn of plenty is easily identified by its vase-like shape, dark coloration, and tendency to grow in clustered groups. The related species Craterellus sinuosus differs from the horn of plenty by its lighter, yellowish coloration and more strongly divided cap. Unlike species of the genus Cantharellus (e.g., the gray chanterelle), the horn of plenty lacks pseudogills on the lower surface of the cap.

It also bears some resemblance to Urnula craterium, a dense, leathery, goblet-shaped mushroom of almost black color. In contrast, the horn of plenty is brittle and has the shape of a cup with an outward-curled margin.