Helvella pakistanica (Helvellaceae, Ascomycota), New Species from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

In this article, we describe a new species, Helvella pakistanica, from a temperate forest of northern Pakistan. The species was established as a new taxon through molecular phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region of nrDNA and comparison of its micro- and macro-morphological characteristics with other taxa in the genus. The new species, collected from Malam Jabba, Swat, forms a separate clade in the phylogenetic tree and is distinguished by a small upper circular fertile cap having two lobes, saddle or mitral to slightly wavy appearance, and pale yellow green to light yellowish brown. A full description, illustrations, and phylogenetic analysis results of the new species are provided. In addition, the new species is compared with closely related taxa.