Elastic saddle or Elfin saddle

Cap 1.5-4 cm, two-lobed, saddle-shaped — made up of two distinct lobes hanging over the stem. Color pale yellowish to grayish brown. Surface smooth, without pronounced texture. Margins free, not fused to the stem — this sets it apart from Helvella crispa.

Cap 3-5 cm, irregularly saddle-shaped, with 2-4 lobes. Color dark gray, graphite, almost black in old specimens. Surface smooth, with a silky sheen in wet weather. Margins wavy and contorted. Partly fused to the stem at the top.

Smooth hymenium on the upper (convex) surface of the cap. Ascomycete structure — spores form in asci. Spore print white. Spores ellipsoid, smooth, 17-20 × 10-15 µm — large, typical of the genus.

Smooth hymenium on the upper (outer) surface of the cap lobes. Ascomycete structure — spores form in asci. Spore print white. Spores ellipsoid, smooth, 17-20 × 10-13 µm.

Stem 2-6 cm tall, 3-6 mm thick, cylindrical, slender, hollow inside. Color white, smooth, without distinct ribs (unlike other Helvella). This is the key feature of the species — a smooth stem, not a grooved one.

Stem up to 6 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, cylindrical, hollow inside. Color pale gray, darkening toward the base. Surface with prominent lengthwise ribs and distinctive pits (lacunae) — hence the name. The ribbed structure is like that of crispa, but the color is completely different.

The flesh is thin, waxy and springy, white. Doesn't change color when cut. Springy — it regains its shape after bending, hence the name “elastic.”

The flesh is thin, waxy and brittle, grayish white. Doesn't change color when cut. Fragile texture.

No noticeable smell. We don't taste it raw — potentially toxic.

Faint mushroomy smell, no sharp notes. We don't taste it — potentially toxic.