Pitted lobe (Helvella lacunosa) photo and description

Pitted lobe (Helvella lacunosa)

• Costapeda lacunosa;
• Helvella sulcata.

Pitted lobe (Helvella lacunosa) is a species of fungus of the Helvell family, the genus Helwell or Lopastnikov.

External description of the fungus

The fruiting body of the fungus consists of a stem and a cap. The width of the cap is 2-5 cm, the shape of which is either irregular or saddle-shaped. Its edge is located freely in relation to the leg, and the hat itself has 2-3 lobes in its composition. The upper disk part of the cap has a darkish color, close to gray or black. Its surface is smooth or slightly wrinkled. From below, the cap is smooth, grayish in color.

The height of the stem of the mushroom is 2-5 cm, and the thickness is from 1 to 1.5 cm. Its color is gray, but darkens with age. The surface of the stem is furrowed, with folds, expanding downwards.

The color of fungal spores is predominantly white or colorless. Spores are characterized by an elliptical shape, with dimensions of 15-17 * 8-12 microns. The walls of the spores are smooth, and each of the spores contains one oil drop.

Habitat and fruiting season

Pitted lobe (Helvella lacunosa) grows on soils in coniferous and deciduous forests, mainly in groups. The fruiting period is in summer or autumn. The fungus has become widespread on the Eurasian continent. This species has never been found in North America, but in the western part of the continent there are varieties similar to it, Helvella dryophila and Helvella vespertina.

Edibility

Furrowed lobe (Helvella lacunosa) belongs to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms, and it becomes edible only after careful preliminary steaming. The mushroom can be fried.

Similar species, distinctive features from them

A similar species of fungus, Furrowed Lobe, is Curly Lobe (Helvella crispa), which ranges in color from cream to beige.