Helvella crispa
Helvella crispa | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Pezizomycetes |
Order: | Pezizales |
Family: | Helvellaceae |
Genus: | Helvella |
Species: | H. crispa
|
Binomial name | |
Helvella crispa |
Helvella crispa | |
---|---|
Smooth hymenium | |
Cap is convex | |
Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable | |
Stipe is bare | |
Spore print is white | |
Ecology is saprotrophic
or mycorrhizal | |
Edibility is not recommended |
Helvella crispa, also known as the fluted white elfin saddle,
Etymology
The fungus was originally described as Phallus crispus by the naturalist
Description
Helvella crispa is creamy white in colour, 6–13 centimetres (2+1⁄2–5 inches) in length, with a
Distribution and habitat
H. crispa is found in China,[6] Japan,[7] Europe and eastern North America, though is replaced by the related Helvella lacunosa in western parts.[8]
It grows in grass as well as in humid hardwoods, such as beech (not so well in resinous ones), along the side of pathways, in hedges and on the talus of meadows. They can be spotted from the end of summer until the end of autumn.[9]
Edibility
Although some guidebooks list this species as edible,[4][9] there is speculation that it may contains monomethylhydrazine, which can cause severe intoxication, and may be carcinogenic.[citation needed] It has been reported to cause gastrointestinal symptoms when eaten raw.[5]
Also recent evidence suggests that this fungus and similar species may cause the potentially fatal disease
References
- ISBN 978-0-89815-169-5.
- ^ Scopoli JA. (1772). Flora carniolica (in Italian). Vol. 2 (2 ed.). p. 475.
- ISBN 0-14-063005-8
- ^ ISBN 0-330-44237-6.
- ^ ISBN 0-8166-1407-5.
- ^ Zhuang WY. (2004). "Preliminary survey of the Helvellaceae from Xinjiang, China". Mycotaxon. 90 (1): 35–42.
- ^ Nagao H. (2002). "Fungal flora in Chiba Pref., central Japan (III) Ascomycetes: Plectomycetes and Discomycetes". Journal of the Natural History Museum and Institute Chiba (in Japanese). 5: 111–32.
- ISBN 0-89815-169-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-222-79409-7.
- ^ Martina Frei "Mysterious disease cases in a small Alpine village" 2022
- ^ E Lagrange et al.: "A high-incidence cluster of ALS in the French Alps: common environment and multiple exposures" 2017