[3] Helvella crispa is creamy white in colour, 6–13 centimetres (2+1⁄2–5 inches) in length, with a cap 2–6 cm (1–2 in) in diameter.

[4] It is striking due to its irregularly shaped lobes on the cap, but with a robust creamy-white base (2–8×1–2.5 cm in size).

It can be distinguished from occasional white forms of Helvella lacunosa by its furry cap undersurface and inrolled margins when young.

[6] H. crispa is found in China,[7] Japan,[8] Europe and eastern North America, though is replaced by the related Helvella lacunosa in western parts.

[4] Recent evidence suggests that this fungus and similar species containing gyromitrin may cause the potentially fatal disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) after many years or even decades.