Black Trumpet mushrooms are small, funnel-shaped fungi found in wooded areas, notably near hardwood trees. Foragers seek them out in late summer to early fall. With a dark brown to black color and a rich, smoky aroma, they add a distinctive flavor to dishes. These delicate mushrooms, known for their nutty and savory taste, are prized by chefs and used in sauces, soups, risottos, and sautés. Foragers should exercise caution and accurately identify them, as they often hide in leaf litter.
Funnel or vase-shaped with a gray, brown, or black color. They sometimes flare out at the end with wavy or ruffled edges. As they age and dry out, these edges frequently split. The underside is just a smooth surface with no gills, pores, or teeth. The inside of the cap may or may not be covered in small scales.
The flesh of a Black Trumpet is very thin and breaks easily. It’s gray to blackish in color.
Unlike many mushrooms, Black Trumpets lack true gills. Instead, they have forked ridges or folds that run from the underside of the cap down the stem, appearing as textured skin rather than hanging gills.
White to a pinkish salmon color.
The stem of a Black Trumpet is hollow, thin, and skinny. There is no obvious cap or stem differentiation, unlike most other mushrooms. It is ups to a few inches tall and the same color, or just slightly lighter than, the cap. The flesh itself is thin and easily broken.
Black Trumpets have a mild taste and an odor that is not distinctive, or somewhat fragrant.
