Elfin Saddle
This Gyromitra species can reach up to 12cm tall by 8cm across and may be found growing on forest soil or on well-rotted wood, as in this case. It typically has two lobes that become pointed. It is wrinkled and convoluted. In the PNW and west coast, fruit bodies occasionally look almost grotesque, with multiple lobes or one amorphous lobe. It may be solitary or gregarious, especially when growing on wood. The stipes are smooth, concolorous with the cap or paler and hollow, sometimes chambered. It contains the toxin monomethylhydrazine which may or may not disappear with cooking. It is best avoided as table fare. A look-alike species, G. ambigua differs macroscopically onl by averaging smaller and having more purplish tones in the stipe or lobes