Gyromitra infula
Taxonomy
Main synonym
Common names
Helvella en forma de mitra, Mitra marroi, orella de gat.
Geographic references:
Interactive map with data from GBIF.
Morphological Features:
Pileus mitriform or saddle-shaped, occasionally wrinkled and deformed, irregularly lobed; depending on the moisture content, it appears reddish-brown or distinctly brown. It is of considerable size, potentially exceeding 10 cm.
Hymenium occupying the inner surface of the pileus, completely smooth, and brown in color.
Stipe rather short, apparently whitish due to a pruinescent coating that imparts this appearance; however, when cleaned, it reveals a color similar to the pileus, reddish-brown. Occasionally, though not always, it exhibits longitudinal ridges or folds, and is hollow.
Flesh fragile, particularly in the pileus; that of the stipe is somewhat more tenacious, light ochre in color, with no distinctive odor or taste.
Habitat:
A fairly cosmopolitan species, occurring in various forest types, particularly during autumn.
Observations:
This species is toxic when raw. Although some authors consider it edible after drying, we do not recommend its consumption due to the lack of culinary value and potential risks; therefore, we prefer to classify it as toxic. It may resemble other Gyromitra species such as Gyromitra Esculenta or Gyromitra Gigas, both of which fruit in spring and possess a much more deeply folded pileus.
