MushieHorn of plenty (Craterellus cornucopioides)
Edible (expert ID)
Horn of plenty (trompette de la mort) is a black or dark grey trumpet-shaped mushroom that is smooth underneath and hard to spot in leaf litter.
| Scientific name | Craterellus cornucopioides |
|---|---|
| Other names | Herbsttrompete · Trompette de la mort · Trombetta dei morti |
| Family | Cantharellaceae |
| Season | Aug – Nov |
| Habitat | Leaf litter in beech and oak woods, often hidden |
| Range | Europe and North America |
| Spore print | Pale pinkish-cream |
| Smell | Fruity, slightly apricot |
How to identify Horn of plenty
| Cap | Dark grey to black, 3–8 cm across, trumpet-shaped with a wavy edge |
|---|---|
| Underside | Smooth to slightly wrinkled, ash-grey; no gills or pores |
| Stem | Hollow, continuous with the trumpet |
| Smell | Fruity, slightly apricot |
| Spore print | Pale pinkish-cream |
Is Horn of plenty edible or poisonous?
Edible (expert ID). Regarded as a good edible when correctly identified and cooked. No dangerous lookalikes are widely reported in its range.
Horn of plenty look-alikes
Some Cantharellus species look similar in dim light.
When does Horn of plenty grow?
Horn of plenty is typically found Aug – Nov in leaf litter in beech and oak woods, often hidden. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Horn of plenty edible?
Horn of plenty (Craterellus cornucopioides) is regarded as edible by field guides when it has been correctly identified and properly cooked. Regarded as a good edible when correctly identified and cooked. No dangerous lookalikes are widely reported in its range. Never eat a wild mushroom based on an app or a website. Confirm identification and edibility in person with a qualified local expert.
What does Horn of plenty look like?
Dark grey to black, 3–8 cm across, trumpet-shaped with a wavy edge. Underside: smooth to slightly wrinkled, ash-grey; no gills or pores. Stem: hollow, continuous with the trumpet.
What are the look-alikes of Horn of plenty?
Some Cantharellus species look similar in dim light.
When and where does Horn of plenty grow?
Horn of plenty is usually found from Aug to Nov. Habitat: leaf litter in beech and oak woods, often hidden. Range: Europe and North America.
Found something like horn of plenty?
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Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Craterellus cornucopioides. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.