– The cap gives a wrinkled appearance, brain-like convoluted, brown-colored.
– The cap margin is rolled in and mostly adherent to the stem.
– Stem whitish to watery greyish, sometimes with a faint violet tint.
– The scent is quite strong and considered appetizing by many.
Morels
False Morel
Gyromitra esculenta
LC
Least concern
Poisonous
6 images
Characteristics
Ecology
Grows single or in small groups on logging sites, along paths and old tractor tracks, preferably on sandy and poor soil in coniferous forests. Appears in spring shortly after snowmelt and the season lasts until May-June.
Notes
Has been considered edible in some nordic countries, but it is poisonous. Boiling in plenty of water, or drying for at least 3 months, are methods often recommended before consumption. However, the toxin in the mushroom (gyromitrin) has proven difficult to completely remove even with these methods and the species should not be eaten.
Similar species
Several similar species exist within the same genus. G. gigas has a paler cap color and its cap edge is not adherent to the stem. G. infula does not have a brain-like convoluted cap.
