Helvella crispa

Helvella crispa, also known as the White saddle, Elfin saddle or Common helvel, is a fungus of the Helvellaceae family. The mushrooms are identified by their irregularly shaped caps, fluted stems, and fuzzy undersurfaces. They are found in North America and in Europe.

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Description

  Helvella crispa is creamy white in colour, 6-13 cm in length, with a cap 3-5 cm in diameter. It is striking due to its irregularly-shaped lobes on the cap, but with a robust creamy-white base (2-8×1-2,5 cm in size). Its flesh in thin and brittle. The stem is 3-10 cm long, white or pinkish in colour and ornately ribbed. It gives off a pleasant aroma, but is not edible raw. Helvella crispa grows in grass as well as in humid hardwoods (not so well in resinous ones) along the side of pathways, in hedges and on the talus of meadows. They can be spotted from the end of summer until the end of autumn.

Eating recommendations

Helvella crispa should not be eaten. Research has established this species contains methylhydrazine, which can cause severe sporadic intoxications, and may be carcinogenic.

See also

• Helvella lactea

References

• Helvella crispa on Mushroomexpert.com