Appearance
''Helvella crispa'' is creamy white in colour, 6–13 cm in length, with a cap 2–5 cm in diameter. It is striking due to its irregularly-shaped lobes on the cap, but with a robust creamy-white base . Its flesh is thin and brittle. The stem is 3–10 cm long, white or pinkish in colour and ornately ribbed. It gives off a pleasant aroma, but is not edible raw. The spore print is white, the oval spores average 19 x 11.5 μm. Occasionally white capped forms are found. It can be distinguished from occasional white forms of ''Helvella lacunosa'' by its furry cap undersurface and inrolled margins when young.
Naming
The fungus was originally described as ''Phallus crispus'' by the naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1772. Its specific epithet is Latin adjective ''crispa'' 'wrinkled' or 'curly'. The generic name was originally a type of Italian herb but became associated with morels.
Distribution
''Helvella crispa'' grows in grass as well as in humid hardwoods, such as beech, along the side of pathways, in hedges and on the talus of meadows. They can be spotted from the end of summer until the end of autumn.It is found in China, Japan, Europe and eastern North America, though is replaced by the related ''Helvella lacunosa'' in western parts.
Habitat
''Helvella crispa'' grows in grass as well as in humid hardwoods, such as beech, along the side of pathways, in hedges and on the talus of meadows. They can be spotted from the end of summer until the end of autumn.It is found in China, Japan, Europe and eastern North America, though is replaced by the related ''Helvella lacunosa'' in western parts.
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