The white saddle or common helvel (Helvella crispa) is a species of Ascomycete mushroom as morels (Morchella sp.) and Peziza sp. to which its brittle flesh resembles. It has a crumpled sheet of ivory or cream colour as a cap, and a fistulous with vertical grooves foot of paler colour than the cap. Its similarity to a cat’s ear that the popular Catalan name “orella de gat” suggests comes from the consistency of the crumpled sheet of the cap, not because its shape.
The white saddle pops up in autumn in clearings and surroundings of paths crossing broadleaf trees forests. Usually, it is found in seldom individuals.
The consumption of white saddle is traditional in Catalonia. However, it must be well cooked, and the cooking water must be discarded.
[photos Jordi Badia]
- See the pine forest saddle (Helvella pityophila), a very close species.