Cantharellus cinereus

Description
Mushroom Identification
Synonyms

Description

Cantharellus cinereus is a species of Cantharellus found growing in coniferous forests in Europe. The shape and grayish-black color of the fruiting bodies are reminiscent of small black trumpets (Craterellus cornucopioides), but do not have a smooth surface on the underside, but rather clear gray ridges. It has a mild taste when consumed raw. The cap grows between 2 and 15 cm in diameter.

The main season for this mushroom is from September to October where it can appear in big groups mainly in deciduous forests. Ashen chanterelle often grows between death trumpets and are therefore very often mistaken.

These mushrooms are excellent for soups, sauces, and mixed mushroom dishes.

Common names: Ashen Chanterelle, Pelēkā gailene (Latvia).

Mushroom Identification

Cap

1–15 cm in diameter, deepened in the middle, with a wavy-curved and often torn edge. Its coloration is gray to brown-black. The bottom of the cap is bluish-gray or ashy, with wrinkled, sometimes transverse flat plates. The cap gradually tapers into a stem. Due to its color and shape, the mushroom is very similar to a bunch of dry leaves, which makes it invisible to mushroom pickers.
Stem

3-8 cm high and 4-15 mm thick, tapering downwards. It is curved, hollow inside and of the same color as a hat (black in old age). Often the entire stem is in the ground, down to the base of the cap.
Flesh

The flesh is elastic and tender, light gray, gray, or brownish, with a spicy tart taste.
Hymenophore

The hymenophore is folded (pseudo-lamellar).
Spore Print

White.