Content
Helvella curly, curly lobe or Helvella crispa is a mushroom of the Helvella family. Rarely encountered, fruiting in autumn. The nutritional value is low, the species belongs to the last fourth group.
The paddlefish has an unusual structure of the legs and cap
What do curly lobes look like?
The mushroom is medium in size, grows up to 10-12 cm in height without a specific shape at the top. The species is marsupial; spores are formed not on the surface of the cap, but in the fruiting body.
External characteristics:
- The apothecium is irregularly saddle-shaped, divided into several lobes.
- The upper part of young mushrooms has concave, relatively smooth edges; over time, the cap straightens and becomes shapeless, the hanging edges are wavy or curly.
- The cap is loosely attached to the stem in the center, the surface is folded, finely tuberculate or wrinkled. The color is plain, light cream or beige. The protective film is smooth matte.
- The lower part has a small sparse edge, one tone darker than the upper surface.
- The pulp is thin, fragile, light beige with a pleasant smell.
- The leg is often straight, can be curved in the upper part, fusiform, thickened at the base, 3 cm wide.
- The surface is ribbed with deep grooves and longitudinal stripes covering the underside of the cap.
- The color is white or light ash.
The structure of the stalk is hollow, fibrous and brittle. In overripe specimens it is hard.
The edges of the cap may be strongly raised or clearly concave
Where do curly lobes grow?
The species is not widespread and is rare. In Russia, the main cluster is in the European part. Grows in open areas: forest clearings, clearings, near roads. The mycelium is located among short grass, coniferous or leaf litter. Occurs singly or in small groups from the end of August in all types of forests.
Is it possible to eat curly lollipops?
The species is rare and not fully studied, but many specimens contain muscarine in the fruiting body. A natural alkaloid is a component of many poisonous mushrooms and causes varying degrees of intoxication. Partially decomposes upon drying or heat treatment.
There have been no cases of poisoning by the curly loach due to its rarity, and it is not consumed in large quantities. Fruit bodies with low nutritional value are classified as conditionally edible. Consumption is possible only after boiling. In the autumn, other types of edible mushrooms bear fruit, so it is better not to take the lobed mushroom.
False doubles
False twins of Helvella curly include the elastic lobe. The mushroom is quite common. Fruits profusely from mid-July. Found in all types of young and old forests, prefers well-moistened shaded areas. Belongs to the fourth category, a conditionally edible species. The fruiting body has no taste or smell.
The cap of the elastic lobe has smooth edges and a light brown surface
Collection rules
The main time for collecting curly lobe is mid-September. It is not recommended to harvest in an environmentally unfavorable area: near chemical plants, gas stations, along the sides of highways, city landfills.
Conclusion
The curly lobe has no taste or distinct odor and is of no gastronomic interest. The species is classified as conditionally edible. Fruiting in autumn, consumption is possible only after boiling.
