Elfin saddles is an early-fruiting species that occurs in late winter. Presumably named after its distinctive saddle-shaped body, the Compressed elfin saddles are the most common of all elfin saddles in western North America. When the mushroom is still young, the saddle shape is not that obvious.
Cap Diameter:
2 - 4 cm
Odor:
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
In This Article
Attributes
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Elfin saddles
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Attributes of Elfin saddles
Cap Diameter
2 - 4 cm
Height
5 - 12 cm
Cap
Cap 2.5 - 4 cm across; grey, brown; smooth, with pubescent
Cap Surfaces
Smooth
Stem
Stem 4 - 10 cm long, 5 - 10 mm thick; round, equal to tapering to a narrowed apex; white to pallid; surface minutely hairy
Stem Shapes
Cylindrical
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Stem Cross Sections
Hollow or cottony hollow
Flesh
Thin; brittle; pale-grey; unchanging when injured or cut
Ring
Ringless
Spore Print Color
White
Odor
Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.
Body Color
Brown
Black
Gray
White
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.