Western Black Elfin Saddle
ExploreFungi
Western Black Elfin Saddle
helvella vespertina
The Western Black Elfin Saddle is a unique mushroom with a wavy, black top that looks like a small saddle! Kids will love exploring their forests to find this funny-looking fungi hiding among the leaves.
Habitat: It lives in moist, wooded areas, often found on the forest floor.
Appearance
The Western Black Elfin Saddle has a uniquely irregular, dark grey to black cap that is often saddle-shaped or deeply lobed. Its ridged or fluted stem, also dark, supports the cap, giving it a crinkled, almost brain-like appearance. This dark, textured look helps it stand out from smoother, lighter mushrooms.
KingdomFungiPhylumAscomycotaClassPezizomycetesOrderPezizalesFamilyHelvellaceaeGenusHelvella
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It often grows near conifer trees, sharing their shady forest homes.
Its cap can look like a tiny, crinkled saddle, perfect for a forest elf!
Some people call its wavy stem 'fluted' because it looks like a column.
This mushroom was officially named as a distinct species only in 2004!
Special abilities
Ability
Nutrient Recycler
Western Black Elfin Saddle can recycle nutrients because of enzymes that break down dead leaves, feeding the forest floor.
Ability
Spore Launcher
Western Black Elfin Saddle can launch countless tiny spores that helps them spread and grow in new forest locations.
Ability
Shadow Blaster
Western Black Elfin Saddle has a dark, crinkled shape that helps them blend into shadows and forest debris, staying hidden.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 3-10 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 2-10 cm
- Growth Substrate
- soil
- Season
- Fall and sometimes spring
- Spore Color
- White
Ecological connections
depends on
Douglas-fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
grows on its fallen needles and wood
depends on
Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
decomposes organic matter from this tree
eaten by
Banana Slug
Ariolimax columbianus
slugs are known to graze on mushrooms
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Helvella MushroomWestern Elfin
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always ask an adult before touching or eating any wild mushrooms!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Western Black Elfin Saddle?
3-10 cm
Is Western Black Elfin Saddle edible?
inedible
How big is Western Black Elfin Saddle?
2-10 cm
Where is Western Black Elfin Saddle usually found?
It lives in moist, wooded areas, often found on the forest floor.
What does Western Black Elfin Saddle grow on?
soil
When is Western Black Elfin Saddle in season?
Fall and sometimes spring
What color are Western Black Elfin Saddle spores?
White
Snap Map
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