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Helvella atra


Helvella atra
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1210 W: 2 N: 4568] (13816)
Genre: Fungi
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-13
Categories: Fungi
Exposure: f/8, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-13 23:36
Viewed: 826
Points: 15
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch]
Latin name - Helvella atra

I love the genus Helvella. Maybe my experience with the closely related morels and false morels predisposes me, but I get excited every time I see a Helvella and contributor hoto of this awesome species makes me want to roll around on the ground with the little mushrooms, take them home, look at them under the microscope . . .

Yeah, I'm a little odd. But so is Helvella atra. It has a black cap that usually manages to gather itself into two or three lobes, a brownish to grayish or blackish stem that is finely fuzzy but not ribbed and pocketed (like the stem of Helvella lacunosa), and a cap margin that is not strongly rolled upwards like the margin of the very similar Helvella pezizoides.

I do not recommend any species of Helvella for the table.

Description:

Ecology: Officially saprobic, but I would guess that it has the potential to be mycorrhizal as well; growing alone or gregariously under hardwoods or conifers; summer and fall; apparently widely distributed in North America (recorded from montane and boreal regions as well as eastern, southern, and southwestern areas).

Cap: 1-3 cm; loosely lobed or saddle-shaped, often forming two or three distinct lobes; smooth or somewhat wrinkled; dark brownish gray to black; the margin not typically rolled upwards; undersurface very finely fuzzy, grayish to grayish brown.

Flesh: Thin; brittle.

Stem: 1-3 cm long; to .5 cm thick; dark gray or grayish brown; finely fuzzy.

Microscopic Features: Spores: 15-21 x 10-13 µ; elliptical; with one oil droplet; smooth.


In the Netherland an Red list pecie.
Under protecton from federal law.
gerbilratz, boreocypriensis, jhm, Ishi, Alex969, uleko, jaycee, LordPotty has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jhm: BedanktGert-Paassen 5 03-16 22:51
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Gert, First time I have seen one of these fungi...very nice composition and good POV to see this in natural position.. excellent notes...TFS

Hi Gert,
Good morning friend. Another splendid capture of this strange (at least for me) mushroom species! Great shot indeed! TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 649 W: 0 N: 178] (628)
  • [2008-03-14 0:48]
  • [+]

Hallo Gert,

U zoek en vind verschillende paddestoelen, dit is een van de mooiste hobbies in het najaar, in de bossen waar het stil is en de speurtocht om iets te vinden, ik doe dit nu pas drie jaar.
De schimmels er rond zorgen voor een geheel want dit zijn uiteraard kleine paddestoelen.
Mooie macro.

Groeten,
John.

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 162 W: 0 N: 973] (3718)
  • [2008-03-14 2:03]

Hi Gert,

Very interesting species, indeed.

Very good capture. Thanks for the image and note!

Ishi

nice pic, try to darken just a little, Greetings Ori

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2993 W: 162 N: 961] (2823)
  • [2008-03-14 5:54]

Hello Gert,
Well, I understand your excitement as I've never seen this fungus myself! Very interesting to see and a great sharp capture in a fine composition.
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-03-14 9:21]

Hi Gert,

Your photos and notes are broadening my horizons. Very interesting looking mushroom which you show with excellent details. I find fungi here in the desert every now and then - I will pay closer attention next time.

Jane

Hi Gert,
I don't think I've seen this odd mushroom before. Your capture of it is quite clear,if a little bright.
Its always good to see new fungi on TN.
TFS
Steve

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