Helvella is a
genus of
ascomycetefungus of the family
Helvellaceae. The
mushrooms, commonly known as elfin saddles, are identified by their irregularly shaped caps, fluted
stems, and fuzzy undersurfaces. They are found in North America and in Europe. Well known species include the whitish H. crispa and the grey H. lacunosa. They have been reported to cause gastrointestinal symptoms when eaten raw.[1]
Description
Species in Helvella have
fruiting bodies (technically
ascocarps) that grow above the ground, and usually have
stems. The cup-like fruiting body (the apothecium) can assume a variety of forms: it may be shaped like an ear (auriculate), or a saddle; it may be convex or irregularly lobed and bent. The spore-bearing surface, the
hymenium, can be smooth, wavy or wrinkled and can range in color from white to black or various shades of gray or brown. Similarly, the outer surface of the fruiting bodies can be smooth, ribbed, or have minute hairlike projections (villi). The stem is cylindrical and tapering or grooved and ribbed. The
flesh is usually between 1–2 mm thick.[2]
^Filippa M, Baiano G (1999). "Helvella juniperi sp. nov. new species collected on the Tyrrhenian coast". Rivista di Micologia (in Italian). 42 (2): 99–118.