Helvella lacunosa - Elfin Saddle

Taxonomy

Class: Pezizomycetes

Order: Pezizales

Family: Helvellaceae

Helvella lacunosa, the Elfin's Saddle, is rather morbid in its appearance, with both the stem and the cap in shades of leaden grey. This speciesm seems to favour rich soil and burnt ground, against which as a background it is not at all conspicuous and so is easily missed.

These saddles are often so distorted that it is impossible not to feel sympathy for the poor elfin creatures reputed to ride on them - or enough, perhaps, to undermine belief in elves.

Identification guide

	Description The saddle-shaped caps of Helvella lacunosa often have three or more contorted lobes. The cap edges join to the stem to form a multi-lobed inner chamber with several opening. The smooth outer surface of the cap is dark grey and smooth; that surface bears the spores. The infertile inner surface is also grey but has a felty feel. The longitudinally grooved stem is grey-brown and hollow, creating many inner chambers.
Dimensions	Typically 2 to 4cm across the cap; total height 4 to 10cm.
Spore print	White.
Odour/taste	Not distinctive.
Habitat	On the ground and among leaf litter in all kinds of woodland. Often found on burnt ground in woodland clearings.
Season	Summer and autumn.
Occurrence	Frequent.
Similar species	Helvella crispa has a fluted, broader stem with external grooves and internal hollow channels. Helvella elastica has a fawn or cream cap and a narrow, solid stem.