Friday 17 August 2012

Whats the difference between Morel and False Morel?

Morchella esculenta or  Morchella vulgaris
This is a picture of a Morel. You can tell because of its distinctive cap which looks a little like a brain. Usually they are lighter in colour this one seems a little dark and the cap is a bit oddly shaped, they are usually more conical (like the black morel).

Common Morel
Above is more typical specimen with a lighter colour cap and more distinctive honeycomb ridge folds. They often have hollow insides when cut vertically and the stem stops at the beginning of the cap. Most true morels have taller caps than the stem. One thing is for sure though is that these is a Morels are not the poisonous False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta) which is darker red/brown with twisted lobes in an irregular ‘brain-like’ shape. It is found mainly with conifers at the same time of year, particularly favouring sandy soil.


False Morel
This is a picture of a False Morel. It is poisonous so avoid. The differential characteristics are:
  1. Mottled, ugly, distorted cap with no ridges.
  2. Looks more like a brain - more rounded and wider.
  3. Darker orange / brown colouration. 
  4. Solid inside, often quite heavy.
  5. The stem inside goes all the way to the top of the cap.
Want to know more about mushrooms why not join our free course at mushroomexam.com?

5 comments:

  1. Gotta love how the edible one is described as "a little like a brain" while the poisonous one is "brain-like". Jeez.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yeah eating brainz like a zombie...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Best mushroom in Finland. To get rid of poisons, one have to boil the mushrooms 5 minutes in boiling water, then flush with cold water thoroughly, then again 5 minutes in boiling water and flush, and 3td again boiling 5 minutes... then they are eatable and really good in gravy and so on

    ReplyDelete
  4. Since when are they poisonous we've been eating them in large quantities for years with no issues

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was raised eating morels and false morels love them both. Never a problem.

    ReplyDelete