Helvella macropus
A somewhat uncommon find, probably exacerbated by its form and rather drab and discreet colouring, the Felt Saddle H. macropus is nevertheless widespread across Britain and Ireland. It is one of several 'saddle fungi' that appear in forests, particularly beside footpaths. The mature fruiting bodies, as pictured, appear as shallow cups perched on delicate stems. Like their close relatives the morels, saddle fungi may have the capacity to form mycorrhizal relationships with woodland trees, but it is also clear that they can live as saprobes, feeding on woody debris.
Ebernoe Common is well recorded for fungi so it was nice to add a new species to the reserve list.
My thanks to Nick Aplin for the photomicrograph.
References:
Buczacki, S., Shields, C. and Ovenden, D. (2012). Collins Fungi Guide: The most complete field guide to the mushrooms and toadstools of Britain & Ireland. London: HarperCollins, p. 604, fig. p. 605.
Sterry, P. and Hughes. B. (2009). Collins Complete Guide to British Mushrooms and Toadstools. London: HarperCollins, p. 310, fig. p. 311.
www.first-nature.com/fungi/helvella-macropus.php [Accessed, 24th November 2025].