Notes on the genus Helvella, including the merging of the genus Wynella

HARMAJA, H. 1974 : Notes on the genus Helvella, including the merging of the genus Wynnella. Karstenia 14: 102-104. It is concluded that the few macroscopic features which alone separate or are commonly claimed to separate the genus Wynnella Boud. from H elvella Fr., are not valid a:t generic level, especially as all the microscopic characters, the anatomy of the excipulum and the spores, are commonly known to be exactly alike in ·these two genera. Wynnella is consequently merged with the older genus H elvella. For similar reasons the genus Underwoodia Peck is also considered congeneric with H elvella, which accords with the opinion of EcKBLAD ( 1968). The differences between the variety H elvella macro pus (Fr.) Karst. . brevis Peok and the typical H. macropus are considered to warrant the recognition of the variety at specific level. Three new combina:tions are made: H elvella silvicola (Beok in Sacc.) Harmaja, Helvella beatonii (Rifai) Harmaja, and Helvella brevis (Peck) Harmaja.