Craterellus

Craterellus

Craterellus is a genus of fungi in the family Cantharellaceae. The genus contains about 30 species that are distributed widely in temperate regions. The name Craterellus is derived from the Latin word "crater", meaning a cup or a bowl, referring to the shape of the fruit bodies of many species in this genus.

Description

Species of Craterellus are characterized by their fruit bodies that are often vase- or funnel-shaped. The spore-bearing surface, the hymenium, is smooth or wrinkled rather than gilled. The fruit bodies are often small to medium-sized and occur in a variety of colors, including black, gray, yellow, and orange.

Ecology

Craterellus species are saprophytic, decomposing organic matter, or mycorrhizal, forming beneficial relationships with plants. They are typically found in forests, especially under coniferous trees and hardwood trees. Some species are considered edible mushrooms and are collected for food.

Species

Some of the notable species in the genus Craterellus include:

• Craterellus cornucopioides – The Black Trumpet
• Craterellus tubaeformis – The Yellowfoot
• Craterellus lutescens – The Golden Chanterelle

See also

• List of Cantharellaceae genera
• List of fungi genera

External links

• MycoBank
• Index Fungorum

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