Helvella leucomelaena
Helvella leucomelaena, commonly known as the "white-footed elf cup",[1] is a species of fungi in the family Helvellaceae of the order Pezizales. As its common name implies, it is characterized by the white coloring of its stem.
| Helvella leucomelaena | |
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| Found in Tuolumne County, California | |
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| Species: | H. leucomelaena |
| Binomial name | |
| Helvella leucomelaena (Pers.) Nannf. | |
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Paxina leucomelas (Pers.) Kuntze | |
Description
The deeply cup-shaped cap of the fruiting body is up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) broad. The outer surface of the cap is blackish-brown near the top, with the color turning to white as it near the stem; the inner surface of the cup is blackish. The stem can be up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long by 0.5 centimetres (0.2 in) thick.[2]
Distribution
In North America, this fungus is rare, but it has been collected in California, Alaska, and the Rocky Mountains.[2] It has also been found in South America[3] and Europe.[4] It typically grows in coniferous forests, and the white stipe may be hidden or obscured by leaves or may be partially buried in the soil.
Edibility
Consumption of this fungus is not recommended as similar species in the family Helvellaceae contain the toxin gyromitrin.
References
- Tylutki EE (1979). Mushrooms of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Moscow: University Press of Idaho. p. 78. ISBN 0-89301-062-6.
- Orr, Dorothy B; Orr RT (1979). Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 32. ISBN 0-520-03656-5.
- Dissing H. (1966). "The genus Helvella in Europe with special emphasis on the species found in Norden". Dansk Botanisk Arkiv. 25: 1–172.
- Calonge FD, Arroyo I (1990). "Notes on the genus Helvella in Spain". Mycotaxon. 39: 203–17.