Morchella esculenta or Gyromitra?
Forum rules
This is a wildlife forum, not a cooking one. Please do not ask for the identification of fungi for edibility or narcotic purposes. Any help provided by forum members is on the understanding that fungi are not to be consumed. Any deaths or serious poisonings are the responsibility of the person eating or preparing the fungus for others. If it is apparent from a post that the fungus is for eating or smoking etc, the post will be deleted and a warning given. For more on our reasons, see the FAQ page.
This is a wildlife forum, not a cooking one. Please do not ask for the identification of fungi for edibility or narcotic purposes. Any help provided by forum members is on the understanding that fungi are not to be consumed. Any deaths or serious poisonings are the responsibility of the person eating or preparing the fungus for others. If it is apparent from a post that the fungus is for eating or smoking etc, the post will be deleted and a warning given. For more on our reasons, see the FAQ page.
Morchella esculenta or Gyromitra?
I found this specimen in the local community garden in Angus, on a path made from shredded plant material from various sources. I thought at first it was Gyromitra esculenta, since I have found that species in my own garden, but on looking it up I am inclining towards true morel since it has a hollow head and honeycomb ridges.
- Attachments
-
-
-
-
Lancashire Lad
- Frequent user
- Posts: 1410
- Joined: Wed May 13, 2015 11:59 am
- Location: Red Rose County
- Contact:
Re: Morchella esculenta or Gyromitra?
Definitely a Morchella and not Gyromitra esculenta.
The most obvious macroscopic difference between the two is that Morchella esculenta has narrow ridges between quite defined "pits" on the cap. Whereas Gyromitra esculenta has smoother, rounded and contorted margins around irregular hollows on the cap. (More like a human brain
).
I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the cap being hollow or not as a positive indicator of species. - Yes, Morchella esculenta usually has a more or less entirely hollow cap, and Gyromitra esculenta usually has several smaller hollow chambers, but I have seen Gyromitra esculenta with solid caps, and also with almost entirely hollow caps.
In more natural habitats, Morchella esculenta is usually found with deciduous trees, and Gyromitra esculenta with conifer trees. - But both species have also been found in less typical situations where woodchip etc. might have been used as mulch.
Regards,
Mike.
The most obvious macroscopic difference between the two is that Morchella esculenta has narrow ridges between quite defined "pits" on the cap. Whereas Gyromitra esculenta has smoother, rounded and contorted margins around irregular hollows on the cap. (More like a human brain
).I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the cap being hollow or not as a positive indicator of species. - Yes, Morchella esculenta usually has a more or less entirely hollow cap, and Gyromitra esculenta usually has several smaller hollow chambers, but I have seen Gyromitra esculenta with solid caps, and also with almost entirely hollow caps.
In more natural habitats, Morchella esculenta is usually found with deciduous trees, and Gyromitra esculenta with conifer trees. - But both species have also been found in less typical situations where woodchip etc. might have been used as mulch.
Regards,
Mike.
Common sense is not so common.
Re: Morchella esculenta or Gyromitra?
Thank you so much! I’ve never seen Morchella, except in books.