Unknown for ID

[PeteS]

Found in the New Forest around an oak tree. They were in tight groups, over 100 in total, around a single oak tree. From the top they looked like immature Craterellus cornucopioides and initially I past them by as I had seen loads of these, and noted them for future reference. When I went back a week later most had dried up, but taking a closer look it was obvious they were something else - a bit like black Cantharellus infundibuliformis. They were about 5 to 8cm tall.

[NickCantle]

Now that looks to be a very interesting find Pete, like nothing I've seen before. The shape would obviously suggest part of the Cantharellaceae group, but surely the colour is way too dark for both Psuedocraterellus undulatus and Craterellus cornucopioides.

Baffled indeed

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Now that looks to be a very interesting find Pete, like nothing I've seen before. The shape would obviously suggest part of the Cantharellaceae group, but surely the colour is way too dark for both Psuedocraterellus undulatus and Craterellus cornucopioides.

Baffled indeed

Not at all Nick, this could be either of those. most likely the latter.

Andy

[NickCantle]

Andy to the rescue! Excellent, thanks Andy! Noted for future reference

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

Andy to the rescue! Excellent, thanks Andy! Noted for future reference

There is also a blackening Chanterelle, Cantherellus melanoxeros but I don't think it is that, there would be more brown colours involved.

Andy

[NickCantle]

I can't imagine that's got a wide distribution though has it? Or is it one of those ones which isn't uncommon but is under-reported?

[PeteS]

Hi,

Well, whatever it is I can say 100% that it is NOT Craterellus cornucopioides. I have become a bit of an expert on these. The taste (I have nibbled a bit) is similar to Cantharellus infundibuliformis, but stonger. They do dry to a shade of dark brown.

As for Psuedocraterellus undulatus - I have never heard of that! It's not in any of my books and an internet search brings up nothing.

To me they look close to Cantharellus cinereus, but is this found in Europe?

Cantharellus cinereus

[Andy Overall]

Originally Posted by PeteS

Hi,

Well, whatever it is I can say 100% that it is NOT Craterellus cornucopioides. I have become a bit of an expert on these. The taste (I have nibbled a bit) is similar to Cantharellus infundibuliformis, but stonger. They do dry to a shade of dark brown.

As for Psuedocraterellus undulatus - I have never heard of that! It's not in any of my books and an internet search brings up nothing.

To me they look close to Cantharellus cinereus, but is this found in Europe?

Hi Pete,

I think you might be on the money there with Cantharellus cinereus. It is included in the British and Irish checklist as "Rarely reported but apparently widespread with Beech". I have never seen it before, though have seen C. melanoxeros which blackens but not like in your pic. Good find.

Andy

[PeteS]

Great! Thanks for your help Andy. If they come up again (I will keep an eye on the spot where they were growing) I will try and take a decent picture while they are in-situ.

As a said - when I first saw them I thought they were something else - it just goes to show that you should examine as much as possible and don't make any assumptions. They were in good condition when I first spotted them, but on the way out when I took a proper look.

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by Andy Overall

I think you might be on the money there with Cantharellus cinereus. It is included in the British and Irish checklist as "Rarely reported but apparently widespread with Beech".

Andy

This looks spot in to me Never heard of this one, but I will be pencilling it into my book.