Elastic Saddle - Helvella elastica

A fairly small, sombre greyish/brownish coloured Helvella with a relatively short whitish stipe and two lobed saddle-shaped flexible cap. The edges of the cap most often fold inwards towards the stipe. The outer (fertile) cap suface is quite shiny and the inner sterile surface is minutely downy.

other Helvella

• Cap has two lobes.It is quite shiny on the outer(fertile) surface. Lower surface is smooth and pale.  Cap has shades of brown colours.
• Edges of the cap fold inwards.
• Spores are elliptical and smooth.
• No distinct smell.

Good quality photos. Note habitat and associated tree species.

Grows from the ground. Often found alongside footpaths in conifer woodland with acid soil.

Autumn

Fairly common