Helvella corium

[ Ascomycetes > Pezizales > Helvellaceae > Helvella . . . ]

by Michael Kuo

Helvella corium is a small species, recognized by its cup-like to flat, jet black cap and its relatively smooth, blackish stem, which may develop shallow ribs in older specimens. It fruits in late spring or early summer. Apparently, it has a preference for sandy soil and areas of debris in northern North America.

Edibility is not known for this species; I do not recommend it.

Description:

Ecology: Probably saprobic; growing in woods, in sandy soil, or in debris areas; late spring and early summer; apparently northern in distribution (documented from Idaho and Michigan; the illustrated mushrooms were collected in Canada).

Cap: up to 4 cm; cup-shaped to nearly flat; upper surface dark black and smooth, or roughened near the center; under surface black, sometimes whitish at the margin, finely hairy (use a magnifying glass).

Stem: 1-4 cm long; .2-15 mm thick; black above, sometimes grayish below; smooth or with shallow ribs when mature.

Microscopic Features: Spores 17-20 x 10.5-12.5 µ; elliptical; smooth; with one oil droplet.

REFERENCES: (Weberbauer, 1873) Massee, 1895. (Smith Weber, 1972; Arora, 1986.) I have not collected this mushroom.

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Cite this page as:

Kuo, M. (2003, February). Helvella corium. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/helvella_corium.html