Elfin saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) in Toksovo, suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 19, 2016Synonyms: Costapeda crispa, Helvella atra, Helvella barlae, Helvella mitra, Helvella nigricans, Helvella pityophila, Merulius undulatus, Phallus costatus, Phallus crispus.
Common name: white saddle.
Russian names: Lopastnik kurchavyy, Gelvella kurchavaya.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Helvella crispa, also known as the white saddle, elfin saddle or common helvel, is an ascomycete fungus of the Helvellaceae family. The mushroom is readily identified by its irregularly shaped whitish cap, fluted stem, and fuzzy undersurfaces. It is found in eastern North America and in Europe, near deciduous trees in summer and autumn.
Helvella crispa is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Helvellaceae. It has a wrinkled, wavy cap with a white to cream-colored surface, typically 2-6 cm in diameter, and a stipe of similar color. In St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, and north-western Russia, Helvella crispa is found in deciduous and mixed forests, often associated with birch, aspen, or alder trees. Fruiting bodies typically appear from July to September, preferring moist, shaded areas with rich soil. The fungus is considered edible, but not highly valued due to its variable flavor and potential for confusion with other species. Local mycological surveys have reported Helvella crispa as a relatively common find in the region's forests, particularly in areas with abundant leaf litter and deciduous tree cover.
Elfin saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) in Toksovo, suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 19, 2016
Elfin saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) on roadside in Toksovo, suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 19, 2016
White saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa, Russian name Lopastnik) on roadside near Kavgolovskoe Lake in Toksovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 24, 2016
White saddle mushroom (Helvella crispa) along a road around Kavgolovskoe Lake near Toksovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 25, 2017
White saddle mushroom (Helvella crispa) near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 6, 2017
White saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) on a lawn in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2017
White saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2017
White saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) near Lisiy Nos. West from Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 26, 2018
Elfin saddle mushroom (Helvella crispa) near Kavgolovskoe Lake south from Oselki, 8 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 29, 2018
Large elfin saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) on a roadside slope near Lisiy Nos, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 1, 2018
Small elfin saddle mushrooms Helvella crispa or may be H. solitaria near Dibuny, north-west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2018
White saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) on roadside near Lisiy Nos, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 6, 2018
White saddle mushrooms (Helvella crispa) between Oselki and Toksovo, north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, August 13, 2024Observations of Helvella crispa in Leningrad Oblast and north-western Russia show that the fungus is commonly found in the region. It grows in various locations, including roadsides, lawns, and near lakes, such as Kavgolovskoe Lake. The mushrooms were spotted in suburbs of Saint Petersburg, like Toksovo, and also in areas west and north of the city, like Lisiy Nos and Oselki. They fruit from July to September, with multiple sightings in these months over several years, including 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2024. The fungus was also found in the Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute in Saint Petersburg, indicating its ability to thrive in cultivated environments as well.
Russian web-forums Planeta Gribov, V Kontakte, and Griby Sredney Polosy for learning names of local mushrooms.
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