Helvella lacunosa

FRUIT BODY: Up to 20cm tall. A quite subtle and beautiful fungus with an ornately furrowed stem that starts off whitish but soon becomes smoky grey. The cap is strangely convoluted and lobed that is greyish beneath and black on the upper fertile layer. This species can reach quite a size but is usually found when smallish. GILLS/PORES: N/A. FLESH: Thin, brittle and somewhat hollow. SPORES: Hyaline and elliptical and slightly roughened. Contains one oil droplet. HABITAT: Solitary or in small groups under a variety of trees. SEASON: Frequent. Autumn. EDIBILITY: Edible when cooked.