📄 Abstract
The present study documents two species of Helvellaceae, Helvella crispa and Helvella elastica,from Kishtwar district of the Western Himalaya. Field investigations were conducted across diverse forest habitats. Specimens were collected and analyzed using detailed morphological and microscopic techniques. Helvella crispa was recorded from Chingam, Nagseni and Sarthal, while H. elastica was observed in Chatroo, Chingam and Nagseni. Diagnostic features such as apothecial morphology, stipe characteristics, asci and ascospore structure were examined for accurate identification. H. crispa was found to be edible, whereas H. elastica is considered non-edible. Both species are new records from the study area. The findings highlight the rich yet underexplored macrofungal diversity of Kishtwar and emphasize the need for further systematic mycological studies in the region.
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📚 How to Cite:
Dr. Faisal Mushtaq, Dr. Jyoti Parihar, Dr. Bhekam Pal Singh , UNVEILING HELVELLACEAE DIVERSITY IN THE WESTERN HIMALAYA: MORPHOLOGICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO Helvella SPECIES (MACROFUNGI) FROM KISHTWAR, JAMMU & KASHMIR, INDIA , Volume 11 , Issue 7, July 2026, EPRA International Journal of Research & Development (IJRD) , Pages: 250 - 255 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra30959