If you are worried about mushrooms that may be similar to Black trumpet and are searching for “black trumpet mushroom look-alike,” join this post. Here, I will tell you how to identify true Black trumpet mushrooms and then provide you with other species of Craterellus that are similar to Black Trumpet.
In addition, you will find other edible black mushrooms that are almost similar to Black Trumpets. You will also find poisonous mushrooms with funnel-shaped caps that may be confused with edible Craterellus spp.
If you are ready, let’s get started to find out all about “black trumpet mushroom look-alike.”
Black Trumpet Mushroom Identification
Black Trumpet mushroom scientific name: Craterellus cornucopioides
Other common names: Trumpet of the Dead, Black Trumpet, Horn of Plenty, Black Chanterelle, Djondjon (Haitian), and Trompette De La Mort (French).
The Appearance of the Black Trumpet Mushroom
About the black trumpet mushroom identification, its dark colouration and trumpet-like shape make it easily distinguishable from other mushrooms in the wild. However, in the following, you can find more details about its appearance that help you with this issue:
Craterellus cornucopioides has a funnel-shaped or trumpet-like fruiting body.
- Its deep and irregularly lobed cap resembles a dark, hollow horn or funnel.
- The cap is 2 to 10 cm (0.8 to 4 inches) in height and 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 inches) in diameter.
- You find this mushroom with a black, dark brown, or greyish-black cap that often has a velvety or wrinkled texture and smooth and waxy (shiny) surface.
- You see a network of shallow, interconnecting ridges on the underside of the cap, instead of traditional gills.
- Black Trumpet mushroom has a short, slender, and hollow stem that can grow between 2 to 10 cm tall and is slightly curved
What Species of Black Trumpet Mushroom Look Alike?
Several mushrooms in the Craterellus genus have a similar appearance to the Black Trumpet. Let’s find “Black Trumpet Mushroom Look Alike”.
1- Craterellus fallax
Also known as the Blackening Trumpet, this is the most similar mushroom to the Black Trumpet in shape and colour. About its appearance, it has a funnel-shaped cap with black or dark brown colouration and shallow ridges on the underside.
Indeed, distinguishing between Craterellus fallax and Craterellus cornucopioides is very difficult, and you can do it by their spore print. The spore print of Craterellus fallax is salmon-coloured (ocher buff to ocher orange), whereas it’s whitish for Craterellus cornucopioides.
2- Craterellus tubaeformis
Also called the Winter Black Trumpet, you will find it almost similar to a black trumpet in shape. However, the Winter Black Trumpet is smaller in size, and its cap is often more elongated, and the stem is yellow.
3- Cantharellus cibarius
Commonly known as the Chanterelle. Although it has a similar funnel-shaped cap with irregular lobes, it is usually larger than the Black Trumpet. It is one of the yellow mushroom species, and you can also distinguish it from the black trumpet by its yellow-to-orange cap (sometimes displaying darker tones). so it
4- Craterellus lutescens
Known as the Yellow Foot or Winter Chanterelle. Another funnel-shaped cap mushroom with ridges on the underside. Its yellow-to-golden cap is the best factor to distinguish it from the Black Trumpet.
5- Cantharellus infundibuliformis
This mushroom is commonly referred to as the Funnel Chanterelle or the Yellow Trumpet. It is similar to the Black Trumpet due to its funnel-shaped cap with irregular lobes. But it is usually larger and has a yellow to orange colour that makes their distinguishing easy.
Edible Black Mushrooms That Are Almost Similar to Black Trumpet
In the following, you can find three non-poisonous black mushrooms that are almost similar to the Black trumpet.
Devil’s Urn Mushroom
Scientific name: Urnula criterium (Plectania campylospora)
Other common names: Black Urn, Gray Urn, Brown Forest Cup
Toxicity: although it is considered not a poisonous mushroom, due to its nature is not edible either.
The appearance of Devil’s Urn Mushroom:
The cap’s shape: its cap isn’t similar to the traditional cap structure of most mushrooms. You find Devil’s Urn Mushroom with a hollow urn-shaped or vase-like fruiting body.
The cap’s size is approximately 2-10 cm (0.8-4 inches) in height and 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 inches) in diameter.
The cap’s colour: it is typically dark brown to black, and you may think of a charred or burnt object.
The cap’s texture: its cap’s surface is smooth and shiny, similar to polished leather with a slightly wrinkled or textured appearance.
The Stem’s shape: it is solid, stubby and short (approximately 1-3 cm in length) and is attached to the base of the cap.
The Stem’s colour: similar to its cap, the stem is also dark brown to black.
Pigs’ Ears Mushroom
Scientific name: Gomphus clavatus and Gomphus crassipes
Other common names: Violet Chanterelle
Toxicity: it’s an edible mushroom with a delicate, nutty flavour that is considered a medicinal food too.
The appearance of the Pigs’ Ears Mushroom
The cap’s shape: you will find this mushroom with a convex to irregular cap that is similar to a folded or lobed ear, it’s the reason people call it “Pig’s Ear”; this is further emphasised when the cap edges tend to curl upward with age.
The cap’s size: its size is between 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) in diameter.
The cap’s colour: it often comes in violet, lavender, or reddish-brown hues, but you may spot it sometimes with lighter or darker tones too. So, some sometimes grouped it in brown mushrooms too.
The cap’s texture: it has a slightly velvety texture with a dry surface. You may see subtle wrinkles or grooves on it. This mushroom has a distinctive gill structure that is widely spaced, thick, and often forked.
The stem: it’s short, stout, and often curved and is slightly lighter than the cap with a smooth and slightly textured surface.
The Pigs’ Ears Mushroom odour: You will find this mushroom with a mild aroma.
Blue Chanterelles Mushroom
Scientific name: Polyozellus multiplex
Other common names: Blue Foot, Purple Chanterelle, Black Chanterelle (in Alaska)
Toxicity: It is not only a poisonous mushroom, but also a Korean edible mushroom; however, some people don’t like its texture and taste.
The Appearance of Blue Chanterelles Mushroom:
Polyozellus multiplex exhibits a distinctive feature that makes it easily recognisable among other mushrooms. Let’s find them.
The cap’s shape: In young mushrooms, the cap is convex to a slightly concave shape. In mature mushrooms, the cap gets flatter and often develops a slight depression in the centre. it makes its appearance almost similar to the Black Trumpet Mushrooms. You cannot see true gills on the underside of its cap. Instead, you will find ridges or folds that extend down the stem.
The cap’s size: Medium-sized (3 to 12 centimetres in diameter)
The cap’s colour: You often find the Blue Chanterelle caps with a vibrant bluish-purple or lavender hue.
The cap’s texture: The cap’s surface is smooth and often has a slightly velvety texture.
The Stem’s shape: It is cylindrical and solid, and in the right conditions can grow up to 10 centimetres in height.
The Stem’s colour: This fungus has a distinctive light blue colour that becomes more pronounced towards the base stem. It’s the reason that people call it the Blue Foot mushroom.
The Stem’s texture: The stem’s surface is smooth and shiny.
The Blue Chanterelle odour: you will find a mild, pleasant odour, some people describe it as fruity, fragrant, and sometimes reminiscent of apricots.
Are there Poisonous Black Trumpet Mushrooms?
People often ask this question; the good news is that there are no known poisonous mushrooms that closely resemble Craterellus cornucopioides (Black Trumpet). However, there are some mushrooms with similar funnel-shaped or trumpet-like appearances that are not edible. Let’s find them. I provide you with their images for careful differentiation.
False Chanterelles
Scientific name: Hygrophoropsis spp.
These mushrooms have a similar shape to edible Cantharellus spp. such as the Black Trumpet. However, false chanterelles are inedible and toxic if consumed.
Jack-o’-Lantern Mushroom
Scientific name: Omphalotus olearius
This mushroom has an orange-to-yellow funnel-like appearance and is highly toxic.
My Recommendation
Mushrooms identification (especially edible mushrooms) is a critical challenge; you must always consult experts. You can also get help from free online tools to identify mushrooms.
Conclusion
Black Trumpet mushroom identification is very easy due to its funnel-shaped cap and black colour. But black trumpet mushrooms look alike. The Craterellus genus has edible trumpet-shaped species, some of which are similar to Craterellus cornucopioides. Although there aren’t any poisonous Black Trumpet mushrooms, several toxic mushrooms have a similar appearance to Black Trumpet that must be carefully differentiated.
If you are interested in seeking mushrooms and identifying them, it may be interesting that in some cultures, mushrooms are good luck.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.