The rains of fall have settled in. The earth is damp and cool. Water drips from the boughs of evergreens and beds of moss growing on the limbs of maples. Under this humid forest canopy, an ashen figure quietly stands. Its body appears charred and sculpted by the torridity of fire that is deeply intertwined with this land. What is this marvelous, little creature that I am kneeling in front of that is so mysterious and beautiful?
This scorched-looking relic is a mushroom! I am unsure which mushroom because it is a vast world I know little about. I do know I find them fascinating and that their role in ecosystems is indispensable. Their variety in shape and color is truly remarkable. I just posted about a mushroom that resembles an orange peel!
That said, I can steer you in a direction and you can research it and see what you think. Helvella is a genus of mushrooms commonly known as Elfin Saddles because some have small, saddle-shaped caps. In Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora, there is one called Helvella lacunosa. In the comments section he writes, “This species is by far the most common of our Helvellas, often appearing in large groups or troops after winter rains. When fresh it is virtually unmistakable because of its gray to black cap and deeply fluted stem, but it is frequently disfigured by a white, moldy parasite (Hypomyces cervinigenus).”
Nature is an inexhaustible source of wonder. I look forward to seeing you out there.
Resource
Arora, David. Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi. 2nd ed, Ten Speed Press, 1986.