Black Elfin Saddle: Helvella lacunosa
Pileus
Head of the fruit body 4-7 cm high, 3-5 cm broad, convoluted and irregularly lobed, sometimes saddle-shaped; margin attached to stipe at several points; flesh thin, brittle; hymenium grey-black to black, sterile inside tissue grey to dark grey.
Stipe
Stipe 3-15 cm high, 1-3 cm broad, equal or tapered, deeply furrowed longitudinally, lacunose; chambered in cross-section; surface smooth, white to grey to dark grey.
Spores
Spores 12-21 x 12-14 µm, oblong-elliptic, smooth; hyaline; with a large central oil drop.
Habitat
Solitary to gregarious under trees, winter to early spring. In our area it is most common under pine.
Edibility
Edible when cooked.
Comments
A common mid-winter mushroom, Helvella lacunosa is variable in form and color, but its deeply furrowed stipe and dark, convoluted cap are distinctive.
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