Morel

Morchella esculenta · Morchellaceae

Also called Common Morel

Edible with caution

The great prize of spring: a honeycombed hollow cone, best hunted on disturbed chalky ground.

Edible with caution. Morels are toxic raw and must be cooked thoroughly. Slice lengthways to confirm the hollow interior.

Season

March to May

Cap: 4-12cm, pale tan to ochre, a pitted honeycomb of irregular ridges and hollows.
Gills / pores: None.
Stem: White, hollow, continuous with the hollow cap.
Flesh: Completely hollow from cap tip to stem base when sliced lengthways.
Spore print: Cream.
Smell & taste: Pleasant and earthy.

False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta) has a brain-like lobed reddish-brown cap and is NOT hollow inside. Early morels are lobed rather than pitted.

Cook for at least 10 minutes. Superb with cream, chicken and sherry. Dries beautifully.

Chlorophyllum olivieri

A shaggy parasol-like mushroom in coniferous woodland. Several similar species require careful separation.

Lepista saeva

A pasture mushroom with a dull buff cap and an unmistakable violet-blue stem.

Coprinopsis atramentaria

Edible in itself, but it causes a violent reaction with alcohol taken up to three days later.