A genus of ascomycete fungi, commonly called false morels or cup fungi, characterized by cup-shaped or saddle-shaped fruiting bodies.
Modern Latin genus name of uncertain origin, possibly related to Germanic or Latin roots meaning 'cup' or from a place name. It entered scientific taxonomy in the 18th century.
Helvella fungi are so similar to true morels that people have accidentally poisoned themselves—some species are toxic, and field guides have to warn foragers that similarity in appearance doesn't mean similarity in edibility.
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