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Elfin saddle

Fungi: Ascomycota: Pezizomycetes: Pezizales: Helvellaceae: Helvella crispa (Scop.) Fr.

Helvella crispa – elfin saddle

Synonyms: Costapeda crispa, Helvella atra, Helvella barlae, Helvella nigricans, Helvella nivea, Helvella pithyophila, Merulius undulatus, Otidea sparassis, Phallus costatus, Phallus crispus, Wynnella sparassis.

Common names: elfin saddle, white saddle.

Extract from Wikipedia article: Helvella crispa, also known as the white saddle, elfin saddle or common helvel, is an ascomycete fungus of the Helvellaceae family. The mushroom is readily identified by its irregularly shaped whitish cap, fluted stem, and fuzzy undersurfaces. It is found in eastern North America and in Europe, near deciduous trees in summer and autumn.

Arabic: هلفيلة مجعدة, Breton: Helvel spulc'het, Catalan: Orella de llebre blanca, Czech: Chřapáč kadeřavý, Dutch: Witte kluifzwam, Estonian: Valge helvell, French: Helvelle crépue, German: Herbst-Lorchel, Hungarian: Fodros papsapkagomba, Japanese: ノボリリュウ, Polish: Piestrzyca kędzierzawa, Romanian: Mitră tomnatică, Russian: Лопастник курчавый, Serbian: Јесењи хрчак, Silesian: Vit hattmurkla, Slovenian: Jesenski loputar, Ukrainian: Гельвела кучерява, Walloon: Oraye di tchet.

AI-generated description

Helvella crispa is a species of fungus in the family Helvellaceae, characterized by its irregularly shaped, wavy, or lobed cap that can range in color from white to grayish-brown, and its white or cream-colored stem. In East and Central Texas, it typically fruits in the spring and fall, often found growing on the ground in wooded areas, particularly under oak, pine, and other deciduous trees. The fungus can form symbiotic relationships with tree roots, and its fruiting bodies are usually 2-6 cm tall and 3-8 cm wide.

Photos of this mushroom from East and Central Texas

Elfin saddle fungus (<B>Helvella crispa</B> mushroom) on Pitcher Plant Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve. Warren, Texas, <A HREF="../date-en/2013-11-10.htm">November 10, 2013</A>
LinkElfin saddle fungus (Helvella crispa mushroom) on Pitcher Plant Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve. Warren, Texas, November 10, 2013
Location on mapsCo Rd 4850, Warren, TX 77664, USA
Elfin saddle mushrooms (<B>Helvella crispa</B>)(?) collected at mushroom walk with Gulf States Mycological Society in Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. Warren, Texas, <A HREF="../date-en/2019-06-22.htm">June 22, 2019</A>
LinkElfin saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa)(?) collected at mushroom walk with Gulf States Mycological Society in Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve. Warren, Texas, June 22, 2019
Location on maps527 Co Rd 4777, Warren, TX 77664, USA
Elfin saddle mushroom (<B>Helvella crispa</B>) on a side of a sandy road, under Yaupon and oaks on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, <A HREF="../date-en/2021-12-30.htm">December 30, 2021</A>
LinkElfin saddle mushroom (Helvella crispa) on a side of a sandy road, under Yaupon and oaks on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 30, 2021
Location on mapsColvin, Lee County, Texas, United States
Side view of elfin saddle mushroom (<B>Helvella crispa</B>) on a side of a sandy road, under Yaupon and oaks on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, <A HREF="../date-en/2021-12-30.htm">December 30, 2021</A>
LinkSide view of elfin saddle mushroom (Helvella crispa) on a side of a sandy road, under Yaupon and oaks on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 30, 2021
Location on mapsColvin, Lee County, Texas, United States
Cross section of elfin saddle mushroom (<B>Helvella crispa</B>) on a side of a sandy road, under Yaupon and oaks on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, <A HREF="../date-en/2021-12-30.htm">December 30, 2021</A>
LinkCross section of elfin saddle mushroom (Helvella crispa) on a side of a sandy road, under Yaupon and oaks on Lake Somerville Trailway near Nails Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, December 30, 2021
Location on mapsColvin, Lee County, Texas, United States

AI-generated summary of observations

Observations of Helvella crispa in East and Central Texas reveal that the fungus can be found in various locations, including national preserves and state parks. On November 10, 2013, it was spotted on Pitcher Plant Trail in Big Thicket National Preserve, Warren, Texas. In June 22, 2019, it was collected during a mushroom walk in Watson Rare Native Plant Preserve, also in Warren, Texas. More recent sightings occurred on December 30, 2021, near Somerville Lake State Park, where the fungus was found growing under Yaupon and oaks along a sandy road. The mushrooms were observed from different angles, including side views and cross-sections, providing detailed documentation of their appearance. These observations suggest that Helvella crispa can thrive in diverse environments and can be found in various parts of East and Central Texas throughout the year.

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Acknowledgements

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