Two new Italian records of Helvella (Ascomycota, Helvellaceae), H. poculiformis and H. nigra

Two collections of Helvella from Umbria (Italy) are reported, supported by morphological and molecular data. Helvella poculiformis described in 2020 from Spain, is reported for the first time in Italy. Helvella nigra, a taxon frequently interpreted in a broad sense and often confused with Helvella lacunosa, is confirmed as a distinct entity based on morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence. The paper is illustrated with photographs of habitat, micrographs of diagnostic characters, and reproductions of historical plates. The results contribute to clarifying species delimitation within the group and update the Italian distribution of the genus.