Paragyromitra infula

Paragyromitra infula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Pezizomycetes
Order: Pezizales
Family: Discinaceae
Genus: Paragyromitra
Species:
P. infula
Binomial name
Paragyromitra infula
(Schaeff.) X.C. Wang & W.Y. Zhuang (2023)
Synonyms
List
  • Helvella infula Schaeff. (1774)
  • Helvella brunnea J.F.Gmel. (1792)
  • Gyromitra infula (Schaeff.) Quél. (1886)
  • Physomitra infula (Schaeff.) Boud. (1907)
Paragyromitra infula
Mycological characteristics
Smooth hymenium
Cap is convex
Hymenium attachment is not applicable
Stipe is bare
Spore print is yellow to buff
Ecology is saprotrophic or mycorrhizal
Edibility is poisonous

Paragyromitra infula, commonly known as the hooded false morel or the elfin saddle, is a species of fungus in the family Discinaceae. The dark reddish-brown caps of the fruit bodies develop a characteristic saddle-shape in maturity, and the ends of both saddle lobes are drawn out to sharp tips that project above the level of the fruit body. The stipe is white or flushed pale brown, smooth on the outside, but hollow with some chambers inside.

P. infula is found in the Northern Hemisphere, usually in the late summer and autumn, growing on rotting wood or on hard packed ground. The species has been considered poisonous, believed to contain the toxic compound gyromitrin, but a 2023 study has thrown this into doubt.