August's Wild Food of the Month
Black Trumpets
 Trumpets de mort
The fragrent and often abundent Black Chanterelle or Black
Trumpet (Craterellus fallax) is a popular mushroom in French cusine because of
it's unique flavor and texture. Fragrant fresh specimens are said to resemble apricots.
This summer mushroom is relatively easy to find and safe to identify. Black Trumpets are
found in mixed deciduous woods, mostly under Oaks, on the ground. This mushroom does not
typically grow on wood. The stalk is an extension of the trumpet shaped cap. Coloring of
the spore surface and stem can range from salmon to pale grey to nearly black with
wrinkles or raised veins rather than gills.. The cap and interior is usually darker,
salmon brown to black and hollow top to bottom.  They usually appear anywhere from
June to September.
Black Trumpets can be difficult to see but once you've
found one there will often be many more. The mushrooms pictured here were picked in
August.
Trumpets are easily dried and store well. Reconstitute in
water or wine. They are also used dried and powdered as a flavoring.
Similar species, Craterellus cornucopiodes is also
edible and choice.
-Roy Reehil
Here's a Black
Trumpet recipe
Happy Hunting!
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