Chapter 7: Craterellus cornucopioides (L.)/Craterellus odoratus (Schwein.) Fr. (Black Chanterelle)

Edible mushrooms are very few in number and only a handful of these mushrooms are popular among local communities in various parts of the world. Craterellus cornucopioides is one such type of mushroom that was first named and described by Linnaeus in 1753 and is often known in English as the “black trumpet” or in French as the “trompette de la mort”. Apart from high nutritional value in terms of protein, carbohydrates and fats, Craterellus cornucopioides has proven anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomodulating, antiallergic, cardiovascular, antiviral, anticholesterolemic, antiparasitic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Due to the lack of knowledge pertaining to its cultivation, cooking methods, harvesting, storage and processing, it is not garnering the interest of the general public it deserves. This chapter presents the proven scientific knowledge regarding the taxonomy, characteristics, resource availability, medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, cultivation, conservation, toxicity parameters, trade, and storage related issues of Craterellus cornucopioides to provide initial direction for anyone who is fascinated by wild edible mushrooms to carry out further extensive research in this relatively less explored field of study.