Elfin Saddle

Helvella lacunosa, known as the slate grey saddle or fluted black elfin saddle in North America, simply as the elfin saddle in Britain, is an ascomycete fungus of the family Helvellaceae. It is one of the most common species in the genus Helvella. The mushroom is readily identified by its irregularly shaped grey cap, fluted stem, and fuzzy undersurfaces. It is usually found in Eastern North America and in Europe, near deciduous and coniferous trees in summer and autumn.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Elfin Saddle being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Helvella vespertina
• Helvella atra
• Helvella maculata
• Helvella dryophila
• Helvella monachella

Classification

Kingdom

Fungi

Phylum

Ascomycota

Class

Pezizomycetes

Order

Pezizales

Family

Helvellaceae

Genus

Helvella

Species

Helvella lacunosa

More species