Helvella crispa

Helvella crispa (Elfin Saddle)

One commonly occurring fungus in Scottish beech forests and along footpaths is Helvella crispa, which due to its irregular shape and saddle-like cap is also known as the Elfin Saddle. The genus Helvella belongs to the Ascomycota which are known as ‘spore shooters’. These fungi do not produce their spores underneath the cap like the common toadstools and mushrooms but rather produce their spores in sac-like structures known as ‘asci’. The fungus is thought to be ectomycorrhizal, which means it forms a beneficial relationship with woody plant roots and provides them with essential nutrients in return for simple sugars produced by the plant.

The fruitbody has a striking white colour and should be easily seen on the forest ground. However, fallen leaves and dim light at this time of the year can make spotting the fungus a little harder.

The cap-like structure of the fruitbody varies between 1-5 cm in size. It is saddle-shaped or irregularly lobed, having two to three major undulations and many minor contortions and inrolled margins. The surface varies from white to creamy yellowish, is smooth, sometimes slightly wrinkled. The under surface is concolorous with the surface or slightly more ochre and possesses fine hair which can be seen when using a hand lens. The stem is 3-10 cm long and 0.5-3 cm wide, of white colour, hollow and upwards tapering.

Although it is stated as edible in a number of field guides, Helvella crispa has been recorded as causing stomach upsets unless very well cooked. In general, the fungus is recorded as being of poor quality. The long cooking time will reduce the taste and make it even less tasty, hence perhaps best avoided. The name ‘Helvella’ is an ancient term for an aromatic herb. The species name ‘crispa’ is Latin and means curled or wrinkled, therefore nicely describing the cap of the Elfin Saddle.

Common look-a-likes are Helvella elastica, which is darker in colour and has just two, less contorted lobes and a longer stem. Another common look-a-like would be Helvella lacunosa, which looks very much like H. crispa but is dark grey to blackish in colour.

Season: Helvella crispa can be found during summer and autumn.

Habitat: The fungus grows with woodlands, particularly beech and can often be found along roadsides and young tree plantations.

Distribution: The species is known to be common in Britain.

Please remember to submit your records to your local recording group or via the Scottish Fungi online recording form.

Photos by Peggy Ehrlich and Anthony Roach

By Peggy Ehrlich and Andy Taylor, October 2016

Helvella crispa

Helvella crispa by Anthony Roach

Common look-a-like Helvella lacunosa

Helvella crispa distribution map

The National Biodiversity Network Gateway records from FRDBI andHBRG datasets are shown on the above map but note that as of May 2015 the FRDBI has not been updated on the gateway since 2007. More recent records from other sources may be available via the Gateway (see terms and conditions at http://data.nbn.org.uk). Data providers and the NBN Trust bear no responsibility for any further analysis or interpretation of the information in the map.

Note also that additional records may be available on the Association of British Fungus Groups CATE2 database, but these are not available via the NBN Gateway.