April 2001 Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Black morel Cap More or less conical with a blunt apex, surface honeycomb like, base connected directly to the stem, hollow, reddish brown to olive brown, about 2 to 8 cm high Stem Cylindrical, sometimes expanded at the base, surface granular, hollow, whitish to pale yellowish Flesh White, thin Smell Indistinct Taste Indistinct Season Spring Distribution Rare Habitat In coniferous woods, and on wood chips from conifers, especially when used as a mulch on gardens Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (18-25) x (11-15) µm2 Edibility Poisonous when raw, edible and excellent when cooked Notes The casual collector could easily confuse this species with Morchella semilibera which is a very variable species. Note the attachment of the cap to the stem. |