Helvella corium
Encyclopedia
Helvella corium is a species of fungus
in the Helvellaceae
family, Pezizales
order. This inedible cup-shaped fungus is black, and grows on the ground often near willow
s in deciduous
or mixed forests. Although it has a fairly wide distribution, it is uncommon.
(typically 0.6 to 1.8 cm (0.236220472440945 to 0.708661417322835 in) tall) is black on the upper part, but gray at the base; it is cylindrical and tapering (terete) and has rounded ribs at its base. The odor and taste are not distinctive.
Microscopic characteristics
The spore
s are ellipsoid in shape, hyaline
(transclucent), and contain a single central oil drop (guttulate) with dimensions of 17–21 by 10–12 µm
. The spore-bearing cells, the asci
, are 225–250 by 12–17 µm.
family contain the toxin gyromitrin
.
H. corium grows solitary, scattered, or clustered in groups. It is often found in association with the trees Populus tremuloides
or Thuja plicata
, or with shrubs from genus Salix (such as Salix herbacea and Salix glauca), Shepherdia canadensis or shrubs from the genus Dryas
. Jordan notes a preference for growing on sandy soils or in dunes.
This mushroom appears to have a high tolerance for otherwise inhospitable growing conditions, as it has been found growing on caustic spoil mounds (the end-product of many mining
and manufacturing
operations) of a soda factory in Krakow
, Poland
, as well as on abandoned uranium tailings
in Ontario
, Canada
.
is a similar-looking fungus with a black-colored stalked cup, but this species has a longer stem, up to 5 centimetres (2 in); microscopically, it has larger spores (typically 23–28 by 11–14 µm).
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
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, 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 inedible cup-shaped fungus is black, and grows on the ground often near willow
Willow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
s in 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...
or mixed forests. Although it has a fairly wide distribution, it is uncommon.
Description
The black fruiting body (technically called an apothecium) is cup-shaped, covered with either scales or small silk-like surface fibrils (fibrillose), and up to 5 centimetres (2 in) in diameter. The upper margin of the fruiting body cup may be rounded with scalloped or lobed edges (crenate). The short, slender stemStipe (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...
(typically 0.6 to 1.8 cm (0.236220472440945 to 0.708661417322835 in) tall) is black on the upper part, but gray at the base; it is cylindrical and tapering (terete) and has rounded ribs at its base. The odor and taste are not distinctive.
Microscopic characteristics
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 ellipsoid in shape, 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...
(transclucent), and contain a single central oil drop (guttulate) with dimensions of 17–21 by 10–12 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 225–250 by 12–17 µm.
Edibility
Consumption of this fungus is not recommended as similar species in the HelvellaceaeHelvellaceae
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...
.
Distribution and habitat
H. corium has been collected from Asia, Europe, and North America.H. corium grows solitary, scattered, or clustered in groups. It is often found in association with the trees Populus tremuloides
Populus tremuloides
Populus tremuloides is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America, commonly called quaking aspen, trembling aspen, American aspen, and Quakies,. The trees have tall trunks, up to 25 metres, with smooth pale bark, scarred with black. The glossy green leaves, dull beneath, become golden...
or Thuja plicata
Thuja plicata
Thuja plicata, commonly called Western or pacific red cedar, giant or western arborvitae, giant cedar, or shinglewood, is a species of Thuja, an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae native to western North America...
, or with shrubs from genus Salix (such as Salix herbacea and Salix glauca), Shepherdia canadensis or shrubs from the genus Dryas
Dryas (plant)
Dryas is a genus of dwarf perennial herbaceous plants in the rose family Rosaceae, native to the arctic and alpine regions of Europe, Asia and North America. The genus is named after the Greek nymph Dryas. The classification of Dryas within the Rosaceae has been unclear...
. Jordan notes a preference for growing on sandy soils or in dunes.
This mushroom appears to have a high tolerance for otherwise inhospitable growing conditions, as it has been found growing on caustic spoil mounds (the end-product of many mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
operations) of a soda factory in Krakow
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, as well as on abandoned uranium tailings
Uranium tailings
Uranium tailings are a waste byproduct of uranium mining. In mining, the raw uranium ore is brought to the surface and crushed into a fine sand...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Similar species
Plectania nannfeldtiiPlectania nannfeldtii
Plectania nannfeldtii, commonly known as Nannfeldt's Plectania, the black felt cup, or the black snowbank cup fungus, is a species of fungus in the family Sarcosomataceae. The fruit bodies of this species resemble small, black, goblet-shaped shallow cups up to wide, with stems up to long attached...
is a similar-looking fungus with a black-colored stalked cup, but this species has a longer stem, up to 5 centimetres (2 in); microscopically, it has larger spores (typically 23–28 by 11–14 µm).