Helvella ephippium
Helvella ephippium Lév.
Leptopodia ephippium (Lév.) Boud.
Helvellaceae
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B1ab(iii,iv)].
Morphology and biology. Cap cup-shaped to irregularly saddle-shaped, 0.5–1.5 × 0.3–0.4 cm. Upper (fertile) surface pale grey, grey-brown to dark grey; lower surface pale grey-brown to dark grey, hairy. Stipe cylindrical or slightly flattened, with 1–2 shallow chambers towards the base; 1–3.5 × 0.2–0.4 cm, pale grey-brown to yellowish, hairy. Spores ellipsoid, 19–21.5 × 10–12 µm, smooth, hyaline, aranged in a line; with a large central oil drop. VI–IX.
Habitats and populations. On the ground in deciduous forests.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Sofia Region (Sofia), Sredna Gora Mts (Western – Mt Lozenska).
General distribution. Europe, Asia.
Threats. Habitat loss/degradation caused by stock breeding, wood plantations, logging, urbanization, development of tourism/recreation infrastructure; soil pollution.
Conservation measures taken. Included in the Red List of Fungi in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Study of the population numbers and range; better understanding of the species biology and ecology; conservation of the habitats; regular monitoring.
References. Hinkova & Fakirova 1970; Dimitrova & Assyov 2004.
Authors: Roumyana D. Petrova & Cvetomir M. Denchev
