Elastic Saddle

Elastic Saddle - Helvella elastica

Alternative names
Brown Elfin Saddle
Description

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.

Similar Species

other Helvella

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • 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.
Recording advice

Good quality photos. Note habitat and associated tree species.

Habitat

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

When to see it

Autumn

UK Status

Fairly common

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records