About this fungus
Fluted Black Elfin Saddle is a fungus in the Helvellaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A dark European elfin saddle with an irregular grey to black lobed cap and a pale to grey stem divided by deep ribs and channels.
What to check
Look for a contorted saddle-shaped fertile surface and a deeply fluted, chambered stem. The underside of the lobes is paler, and there are no gills, ring or volva. These characters identify the dark fluted Helvella group, but geography and microscopy may be needed for exact species.
Variation
Cap colour ranges from grey to almost black and its lobes vary greatly in number and shape. Stem ribs may be pale, grey or darkened, particularly in older fruit bodies.
Lookalikes
Helvella crispa is much paler. Helvella elastica has a smoother, slender stem. Western North American fungi historically called H. lacunosa include H. dryophila with oak and H. vespertina with conifers, so the European name should not be applied there from appearance alone.
Habitat and range
Occurs on soil and litter in European woodland and disturbed ground, sometimes after fire. Older reports from western North America need reassessment under modern DNA-based taxonomy.
Food safety
Inedible.
Photographs
Vavrin / CC BY-SA 3.0Species to compare
Similar mushrooms to compare against: