Gyromitra esculenta

FRUIT BODY: Up to 12cm tall. The creamy-white, smooth stem is topped by a brain-like cap that begins dark reddish-brown in colour and pales slightly with age. The wrinkles and folds of the cap can in some instances be almost absent but they are usually a distinguishing factor and make this fungus readily identifiable down to genus. The stem contains several tube-like hollows and is an important ID factor. GILLS/PORES: N/A. FLESH: Thin and fragile with no convincing taste or odour. SPORES: Cream and elliptical with two yellowish oil droplets. HABITAT: Found both in coniferous or deciduous woods on the ground. SEASON: Infrequent. Spring. EDIBILITY: Inedible.