Horn of the dead (Craterellus cornucopioides) - recognition guide

Taxonomy and classification history

The classification of the Horn of Plenty has undergone numerous revisions over the centuries. Let’s explore the complex taxonomic journey that has led to its current placement for this extraordinary mushroom.

Discovery and early descriptions

The first scientific description of this species was made by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, who initially classified it as Peiza cornucopioides. This name already referenced its characteristic horn-of-plenty shape, evident in the specific epithet "cornucopioides."

However, it was the French mycologist Lucien Quélet in 1888 who definitively transferred the species to the genus Craterellus, where it remains today. This reclassification was based on in-depth microscopic studies highlighting the unique features of its hyphae and fruiting body structure.

Current taxonomic position

In the current scientific classification, the Horn of Plenty occupies the following position:

• Kingdom: Fungi
• Division: Basidiomycota
• Class: Agaricomycetes
• Order: Cantharellales
• Family: Cantharellaceae
• Genus: Craterellus
• Species: C. cornucopioides

For an in-depth look at the latest taxonomic revisions, we recommend consulting the MycoBank database, the official repository of the international mycological community.

Recent taxonomic controversies

In recent years, molecular biology studies have challenged the traditional placement of this species. DNA analyses have shown a close relationship with the genera Cantharellus and Pseudocraterellus, leading some authors to propose a reorganization of the Cantharellaceae family.

Microscopic and macroscopic morphology

The Horn of Plenty exhibits unique morphological characteristics that make it instantly recognizable to trained eyes. Let’s examine in detail every aspect of its structure, from features visible to the naked eye to microscopic peculiarities.

Macroscopic features

The fruiting body of Craterellus cornucopioides displays a distinctive morphology that sets it apart from most other mushrooms:

The cap

The cap has a characteristic funnel shape, often deeply depressed at the center, becoming almost tubular. The margins are initially involute (rolled inward) and then flatten with maturity, taking on a lobed and irregular appearance.

Size typically ranges between 3 and 8 cm in diameter, although under particularly favorable conditions, it can reach up to 12 cm. The surface is smooth but uneven, often featuring small scales or roughness, especially in the central area.

Coloration

Coloration is one of its most distinctive traits:

• Young specimens: gray-brown with purple hues
• Mature specimens: uniform black-brown
• In dry conditions: takes on lighter, almost ochre tones
• After rain: becomes darker and shinier

This color variability has led to past confusion with other species, as demonstrated in a study published in ScienceDirect.

Microscopic features

Microscopic analysis reveals crucial details for accurate identification:

Hyphal Structure

The hyphae exhibit simple septation with inconspicuous clamp connections. The hyphal system is monomitic, consisting entirely of generative hyphae.

Basidia and spores

The basidia are clavate, typically 4-spored, occasionally 2-spored. Spores measure 8-12 × 5-7 μm and are elliptical, smooth, hyaline (transparent) in KOH, and non-amyloid.