Helvella elastica
Encyclopedia
Helvella elastica, commonly known as the flexible Helvella, or the elastic saddle, is a species of fungi in the Helvellaceae
family, Pezizales
order. It is found in Asia, Europe, and North America. It has a roughly saddle-shaped yellow-brown cap
atop a whitish stem, and grows on soil in woods. Another colloquial name is the brown elfin saddle.
of the fungus is grayish or olive-brown, saddle- or mitral-shaped (i.e., resembling a double mitre
) and is attached only to the top of the stem; it may be up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) wide. The stem
is white, solid or filled with loosely stuffed hyphae, has a smooth surface, and is up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long by 1 centimetre (0.393700787401575 in) thick. The flesh
of H. elastica is brittle and thin. The odor and taste of this mushroom are not distinctive.
s are oblong to elliptical in shape, translucent (hyaline
), contain one central oil drop (guttulate), and have dimensions of 18–22 by 10–14 µm
; young spores have coarse surface warts, while older ones are smooth. The spore-bearing cells, the asci
, are 260– by 17–19 µm. The paraphyses
(sterile cells interspersed between the asci) are club-shaped, filled with oil drops, sometimes branched, and are 6–10 µm at the apex.
family contain the toxin gyromitrin
.
woods. It has been found in Europe, North America (in "western states and provinces"),
Japan, and China.
, has an underside surface that has minute "hairs" in yong specimens.
, the process of breaking down blood clots caused by the protein fibrin
. H. elastica was one of seven species that had this ability; the activity of the extract was 60% of that of plasmin
, the positive control
used in the experiment.
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. It is found in Asia, Europe, and North America. It has a roughly saddle-shaped yellow-brown cap
Pileus (mycology)
The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium. The hymenium may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus...
atop a whitish stem, and grows on soil in woods. Another colloquial name is the brown elfin saddle.
Description
The fruit bodyAscocarp
An ascocarp, or ascoma , is the fruiting body of an ascomycete fungus. It consists of very tightly interwoven hyphae and may contain millions of asci, each of which typically contains eight ascospores...
of the fungus is grayish or olive-brown, saddle- or mitral-shaped (i.e., resembling a double mitre
Mitre
The mitre , also spelled miter, is a type of headwear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox...
) and is attached only to the top of the stem; it may be up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) wide. The 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...
is white, solid or filled with loosely stuffed hyphae, has a smooth surface, and is up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long by 1 centimetre (0.393700787401575 in) thick. The flesh
Trama (mycology)
In mycology trama is a term for the inner, fleshy portion of a mushroom's basidiocarp, or fruit body. It is distinct from the outer layer of tissue, known as the pileipellis or cuticle, and from the spore-bearing tissue layer known as the hymenium....
of H. elastica is brittle and thin. The odor and taste of this mushroom are not distinctive.
Microscopic characteristics
The sporeSpore
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 oblong to elliptical in shape, 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...
), contain one central oil drop (guttulate), and have dimensions of 18–22 by 10–14 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...
; young spores have coarse surface warts, while older ones are smooth. 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 260– by 17–19 µm. 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...
(sterile cells interspersed between the asci) are club-shaped, filled with oil drops, sometimes branched, and are 6–10 µm at the apex.
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...
.
Habitat and distribution
This fungus is typically found solitary, scattered, or clustered together on the ground or on wood in coniferous and deciduousDeciduous
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. It has been found in Europe, North America (in "western states and provinces"),
Japan, and China.
Similar species
The closely related fungus Helvella albipes has a thicker stem and two to four lobes. Another similar species, Helvella latisporaHelvella latispora
Helvella latispora is a species of fungi in the Helvellaceae family, Pezizales order.-Edibility:Consumption of this fungus is not recommended as similar species in the Helvellaceae family contain the toxin gyromitrin.-External links:*...
, has an underside surface that has minute "hairs" in yong specimens.
Fibrinolytic activity
A 2005 Korean study investigated the ability of extracts from 67 different mushroom species to perform fibrinolysisFibrinolysis
Fibrinolysis is a process that prevents blood clots from growing and becoming problematic. This process has two types: primary fibrinolysis and secondary fibrinolysis...
, the process of breaking down blood clots caused by the protein fibrin
Fibrin
Fibrin is a fibrous, non-globular protein involved in the clotting of blood. It is a fibrillar protein that is polymerised to form a "mesh" that forms a hemostatic plug or clot over a wound site....
. H. elastica was one of seven species that had this ability; the activity of the extract was 60% of that of plasmin
Plasmin
Plasmin is an important enzyme present in blood that degrades many blood plasma proteins, most notably, fibrin clots. The degradation of fibrin is termed fibrinolysis. In humans, the plasmin protein is encoded by the PLG gene.- Function :...
, the positive control
Scientific control
Scientific control allows for comparisons of concepts. It is a part of the scientific method. Scientific control is often used in discussion of natural experiments. For instance, during drug testing, scientists will try to control two groups to keep them as identical and normal as possible, then...
used in the experiment.