Helvella crispaHelvella crispa

Kingdom: EUMYCOTAKingdom: EUMYCOTA

Phylum: DikaryomycotaPhylum: Dikaryomycota

Subphylum: AscomycotinaSubphylum: Ascomycotina

Class: AscomycetesClass: Ascomycetes

Order: PezizalesOrder: Pezizales

Family: HelvellaceaeFamily: Helvellaceae

Genus: Genus: HelvellaHelvella

Species: Helvella crispa Species: Helvella crispa (Fluted White Helvella, (Fluted White Helvella, White Elvin Saddle) White Elvin Saddle)

HabitatHabitat

On the ground in in deciduous and On the ground in in deciduous and coniferous forest.coniferous forest.

This specimen This specimen

Mixed boreal forest, in mossy areas near Mixed boreal forest, in mossy areas near decaying wood. Solitary to gregarious. decaying wood. Solitary to gregarious.

Macroscopic FeaturesMacroscopic Features

White, saddle-shaped, convoluted cap with wavy White, saddle-shaped, convoluted cap with wavy margin. 1.5-6 cm in diameter. margin. 1.5-6 cm in diameter. This specimen 4.5 cmThis specimen 4.5 cm

Stalk centrally located, white, fluted and interior Stalk centrally located, white, fluted and interior chambered. 3-9 cm long.chambered. 3-9 cm long.This specimen 8 cmThis specimen 8 cm

Whitish flesh.Whitish flesh.

Microscopic featuresMicroscopic features

Hymenium covers cap, spore print white.Hymenium covers cap, spore print white.

Spores are smooth, oval-shaped. One Spores are smooth, oval-shaped. One large, central oil drop.large, central oil drop.

17 x 10 17 x 10 µm.µm.

Microscopic featuresMicroscopic features

Asci unitunicate-operlucate, Asci unitunicate-operlucate, pharaphyses observable.pharaphyses observable.

Length-to-width ratio greater Length-to-width ratio greater than 5:1. No bluing in than 5:1. No bluing in iodine.iodine.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Saprobic, not mycorrhizal.Saprobic, not mycorrhizal.

Not recommended as an Not recommended as an edible.edible.

Same family as Same family as Gyromitra infula, Gyromitra infula, the “Saddle-shaped False the “Saddle-shaped False Morel”. Morel”.

Contains gyromitrin- precursor to Contains gyromitrin- precursor to monomethylhydrazine. monomethylhydrazine.

Deadly poisonous.Deadly poisonous.