Helvella acetabulum
Encyclopedia
Helvella acetabulum is a species of fungi in the Helvellaceae
family, Pezizales
order. This relatively large cup-shaped fungus is characterized by a tan fruit body
with prominent branching ribs resembling a cabbage leaf; for this reason it is commonly
known as the cabbage leaf Helvella. Other colloquial names include the vinegar cup and the brown ribbed elfin cup. The fruit bodies reaches dimensions of 8 cm (3.1 in) by 4 cm (1.6 in) tall. It is found in Asia, Europe, and North America, where it grows in sandy soils, under both coniferous and deciduous
trees. Although it may be considered edible
, the fungus is not recommended for consumption unless cooked thoroughly, as it contains the toxin gyromitrin
.
. It was given its current name by French mycologist Lucien Quélet
in 1874. Other genera to which the species has been transferred include Macroscyphus by Samuel Frederick Gray
in 1821, Octospora by Joachim Christian Timm
in 1788, and Paxina by Otto Kutze in 1891; the binomials
resulting from these transfers are synonyms. Additional synonyms include Acetabula sulcata (Pers.) Fuckel, Acetabula vulgaris Fuckel, Paxina sulcata (Pers.) Kuntze, and Peziza sulcata Pers.
The specific epithet acetabulum means "little vinegar cup", and was the Latin
word for a small vessel used for storing vinegar
(see acetabulum
). Common name
s include the "cabbage leaf Helvella", the "vinegar cup" the "ribbed-stalk cup", and the "brown ribbed elfin cup".
Helvella acetabulum has a deeply cup-shaped fruiting body (technically an apothecium) that is up to 8 cm (3.1 in) in diameter, and 4 cm (1.6 in) deep. The inner spore-bearing surface, the hymenium
, is brown, and may be smooth or slightly wavy; the exterior surface is cream-colored, and is covered with minute "hairs". The ribs start from the cream-colored stem
and extend almost to the edge of the fruiting body. The stem is typically 1 to 6 cm (0.393700787401575 to 2.4 in) tall by 1 to 3 cm (0.393700787401575 to 1.2 in) thick. The odor and taste of this mushroom are not distinctive.
The spore
s are smooth, elliptical, translucent (hyaline
), and contain a single central oil droplet; they have dimensions of 18–20 by 12–14 µm
. The spore-bearing cells, the asci
, are 350–400 by 15–20 µm, are operculate—meaning they have an apical "lid" that releases the spores. The tips of the asci are inamyloid
, so they do not adsorb iodine
when stained with Melzer's reagent
. The paraphyses
are club-shaped, and have a pale brown color, with tips that are up to 10 µm thick.
Although the edibility
of the fruit bodies is often listed as "unknown", consumption of this fungus is not recommended as similar species in the Helvellaceae
family contain the toxin gyromitrin
. Gyromitrin is heat sensitive, and is broken down by cooking.
has a roughly similar form and appearance, but the ribbing in that species does not extend up the margin as does H. acetabulum. H. griseoalba has ribs that extend halfway up the sides of the fruiting body, but the color of the cup is pale to dark gray rather than cream. The fruit bodies also resemble those of H. costifera
, but the latter species is distinguished by its grayish to grayish-brown hymenium; like H. acetabulum, it has ribs that extend to most of the outside of the fruit body. There are sometimes intermediate forms between the two species, making them difficult to distinguish. H. robusta is also similar to H. acetabulum, but has a lighter-colored hymenium, a robust stem, and the margin of the fruit body is often bent over the stem at maturity. In contrast, H. acetabulum never has the edge of the fruit body bent over the stem, and the stem is "indistinct or prominent, but never robust".
, Guerrero
, and Tlaxcala
. It is also found in Israel, Jordan
, Turkey,, Iran China (Xinjiang
) and Japan.
The fruit bodies grows solitary, scattered, or clustered together on soil in both coniferous and deciduous
woods, typically in spring and summer. A preference for growing in association with Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) has been noted for Californian populations.
Helvellaceae
The Helvellaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi, the best known members of which are the elfin saddles of the genus Helvella. Originally erected by Elias Magnus Fries in 1823 as Elvellacei, it contained many genera...
family, Pezizales
Pezizales
The Pezizales are an order of the subphylum Pezizomycotina within the phylum Ascomycota. The order contains 16 families, 199 genera, and 1683 species. It contains a number of species of economic importance, such as morels, the black and white truffles, and the desert truffles. The Pezizales are...
order. This relatively large cup-shaped fungus is characterized by a tan fruit body
Sporocarp (fungi)
In fungi, the sporocarp is a multicellular structure on which spore-producing structures, such as basidia or asci, are borne...
with prominent branching ribs resembling a cabbage leaf; for this reason it is commonly
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
known as the cabbage leaf Helvella. Other colloquial names include the vinegar cup and the brown ribbed elfin cup. The fruit bodies reaches dimensions of 8 cm (3.1 in) by 4 cm (1.6 in) tall. It is found in Asia, Europe, and North America, where it grows in sandy soils, under both coniferous and deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
trees. Although it may be considered edible
Edible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
, the fungus is not recommended for consumption unless cooked thoroughly, as it contains the toxin gyromitrin
Gyromitrin
Gyromitrin is a toxin and carcinogen present in several members of the fungal genus Gyromitra, most notably the false morel G. esculenta. It is unstable and is easily hydrolyzed to the toxic compound monomethylhydrazine, a component of some rocket fuels. Monomethylhydrazine acts on the central...
.
Taxonomy
The fungus was first named as Peziza acetabulum by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 Species PlantarumSpecies Plantarum
Species Plantarum was first published in 1753, as a two-volume work by Carl Linnaeus. Its prime importance is perhaps that it is the primary starting point of plant nomenclature as it exists today. This means that the first names to be considered validly published in botany are those that appear...
. It was given its current name by French mycologist Lucien Quélet
Lucien Quélet
thumb|Lucien QuéletLucien Quélet was a French mycologist and naturalist who discovered several species and was the founder of the Société mycologique de France, a society devoted to mycological studies....
in 1874. Other genera to which the species has been transferred include Macroscyphus by Samuel Frederick Gray
Samuel Frederick Gray
Samuel Frederick Gray was a British botanist, mycologist, and pharmacologist. He was the father of the zoologists John Edward Gray and George Robert Gray.-Background:...
in 1821, Octospora by Joachim Christian Timm
Joachim Christian Timm
Joachim Christian Timm was an apothecary, mayor of Malchin, and a botanist with a particular interest in cryptograms. This botanist is denoted by the author abbreviation Timm when citing a botanical name.-Life:Joachim Christian Timm was the son of a tobacconist, Matthias Ernst Timm...
in 1788, and Paxina by Otto Kutze in 1891; the binomials
Binomial nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages...
resulting from these transfers are synonyms. Additional synonyms include Acetabula sulcata (Pers.) Fuckel, Acetabula vulgaris Fuckel, Paxina sulcata (Pers.) Kuntze, and Peziza sulcata Pers.
The specific epithet acetabulum means "little vinegar cup", and was the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word for a small vessel used for storing vinegar
Vinegar
Vinegar is a liquid substance consisting mainly of acetic acid and water, the acetic acid being produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. Commercial vinegar is produced either by fast or slow fermentation processes. Slow methods generally are used with traditional...
(see acetabulum
Acetabulum (cup)
In ancient dining, an acetabulum was a vinegar-cup, which, from the fondness of the Greeks and Romans for vinegar, was probably always placed on the table at meals to dip the food in before eating it. The vessel was wide and open above; and the name was also given to all cups resembling it in size...
). Common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
s include the "cabbage leaf Helvella", the "vinegar cup" the "ribbed-stalk cup", and the "brown ribbed elfin cup".
Description
Hymenium
The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. In some species all of the cells of the hymenium develop into basidia or asci, while in others some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia or...
, is brown, and may be smooth or slightly wavy; the exterior surface is cream-colored, and is covered with minute "hairs". The ribs start from the cream-colored stem
Stipe (mycology)
thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with an [[annulus |annulus]] and [[volva |volva]]In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal...
and extend almost to the edge of the fruiting body. The stem is typically 1 to 6 cm (0.393700787401575 to 2.4 in) tall by 1 to 3 cm (0.393700787401575 to 1.2 in) thick. The odor and taste of this mushroom are not distinctive.
The spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
s are smooth, elliptical, translucent (hyaline
Hyaline
The term hyaline denotes a substance with a glass-like appearance.-Histopathology:In histopathological medical usage, a hyaline substance appears glassy and pink after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin — usually it is an acellular, proteinaceous material...
), and contain a single central oil droplet; they have dimensions of 18–20 by 12–14 µm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
. The spore-bearing cells, the asci
Ascus
An ascus is the sexual spore-bearing cell produced in ascomycete fungi. On average, asci normally contain eight ascospores, produced by a meiotic cell division followed, in most species, by a mitotic cell division. However, asci in some genera or species can number one , two, four, or multiples...
, are 350–400 by 15–20 µm, are operculate—meaning they have an apical "lid" that releases the spores. The tips of the asci are inamyloid
Amyloid (mycology)
In mycology the term amyloid refers to a crude chemical test using iodine in either Melzer's reagent or Lugol's solution, to produce a black to blue-black positive reaction. It is called amyloid because starch gives a similar reaction, and that reaction for starch is also called an amyloid reaction...
, so they do not adsorb iodine
Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element with the symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is pronounced , , or . The name is from the , meaning violet or purple, due to the color of elemental iodine vapor....
when stained with Melzer's reagent
Melzer's Reagent
Melzer's reagent is a chemical reagent used by mycologists to assist with the identification of fungi.-Composition:...
. The paraphyses
Paraphyses
Paraphyses are part of the fertile spore-bearing layer in certain fungi. More specifically, paraphyses are sterile filamentous hyphal end cells composing part of the hymenium of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota interspersed among either the asci or basidia respectively, and not sufficiently...
are club-shaped, and have a pale brown color, with tips that are up to 10 µm thick.
Although the edibility
Edible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
of the fruit bodies is often listed as "unknown", consumption of this fungus is not recommended as similar species in the Helvellaceae
Helvellaceae
The Helvellaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi, the best known members of which are the elfin saddles of the genus Helvella. Originally erected by Elias Magnus Fries in 1823 as Elvellacei, it contained many genera...
family contain the toxin gyromitrin
Gyromitrin
Gyromitrin is a toxin and carcinogen present in several members of the fungal genus Gyromitra, most notably the false morel G. esculenta. It is unstable and is easily hydrolyzed to the toxic compound monomethylhydrazine, a component of some rocket fuels. Monomethylhydrazine acts on the central...
. Gyromitrin is heat sensitive, and is broken down by cooking.
Similar species
Helvella queletiiHelvella queletii
Helvella queletii is a species of fungi in the Helvellaceae family, Pezizales order....
has a roughly similar form and appearance, but the ribbing in that species does not extend up the margin as does H. acetabulum. H. griseoalba has ribs that extend halfway up the sides of the fruiting body, but the color of the cup is pale to dark gray rather than cream. The fruit bodies also resemble those of H. costifera
Helvella costifera
Helvella costifera is a species of fungi in the Helvellaceae family, Pezizales order.-External links:*...
, but the latter species is distinguished by its grayish to grayish-brown hymenium; like H. acetabulum, it has ribs that extend to most of the outside of the fruit body. There are sometimes intermediate forms between the two species, making them difficult to distinguish. H. robusta is also similar to H. acetabulum, but has a lighter-colored hymenium, a robust stem, and the margin of the fruit body is often bent over the stem at maturity. In contrast, H. acetabulum never has the edge of the fruit body bent over the stem, and the stem is "indistinct or prominent, but never robust".
Distribution and habitat
This fungus is widespread in North America and Europe. In North America, the distribution extends north to Alberta, Canada. In Mexico, it has been collected from State of Mexico, GuanajuatoGuanajuato
Guanajuato officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guanajuato is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 46 municipalities and its capital city is Guanajuato....
, Guerrero
Guerrero
Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....
, and Tlaxcala
Tlaxcala
Tlaxcala officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tlaxcala is one of the 31 states which along with the Federal District comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 60 municipalities and its capital city is Tlaxcala....
. It is also found in Israel, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Turkey,, Iran China (Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
) and Japan.
The fruit bodies grows solitary, scattered, or clustered together on soil in both coniferous and deciduous
Deciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
woods, typically in spring and summer. A preference for growing in association with Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) has been noted for Californian populations.