False Morel?

I got real excited mowing the lawn tonight when I saw what I thought was a morel. But after grabbing it and looking at it, I thought it was a false morel without really knowing the difference.

But I did a little Googling and it says morels are hollow and this one is definitely hollow. It was not intact when I found it. Either the dogs kicked it or I grazed it while mowing. The thing is it is not very symmetric, but is that normal for a little one?

So do I toss it or risk staying home for the opener? I still think it isn’t a morel. Looking at these pictures, it doesn’t look pitted like a morel.

Looks like a morel to me.

It looks like a morel to me. But I still say toss it, one shroom isn’t worth the trouble. I loved them when I was younger, but went about 10 years without having any and when I tried them again got violently ill. That picure almost made me barf.

I will come over and pick those so you wouldn’t have to worry.

Easiest way to tell is to slice it in half (top-to-bottom). A morel has a “solid” interior wall. A false Morel will have holes in all the folds and pits.
Go to this website and scroll down on the pics. Very clear to see the difference

False Morel

This convincing at all? This gives you an idea how small it is. After cutting it open, I now want to say it is one.

Now I am bummed I didn’t see it if in fact I knocked it off its stem. I could have let it get bigger. Then again, maybe I should be thankful I saw the little guy in the first place.

I just read this and this has me convinced now.

“If you slice the mushroom lengthwise the inside will be completely hollow. It looks like a “morel mold”.” That and the cap is attached. Just hope I can taste the little guy. I also how I find more when I get back from up north.

Thanks guys.

That’s a Morel….I can taste it now Can’t wait for the sun and hopefully I can grab some more.
Got these last Saturday. Same scenario, mowing the lawn and had to hit the brake. Then went on the rest of the hunt.

Quote:

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That’s a Morel….I can taste it now

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Meh, I barely tasted that little guy, but a morel virgin I am not anymore. I got enough of a taste to know what people are crazy about.

its a moral

No question about it… you have morels in your yard.

Morel. False morels (I call them beef steaks) are radically different shaped. I have them at my cabin. My great Aunt and Uncle used to eat them. My Dad’s family would not so that’s what I was tought. The rumor was they could make you sick every once in a while. I can tell you they smell exactly like a morel. I have been tempted to eat them but never do and likely never will.

Great article!!
easiest way to tell is being solid(false) v/s hollow (real).

we live on them in the spring!

Mplspug…Are you seeing pink elephants yet?

It’s a grey, add a few more and you’ll have a batch

That was in fact a morchella esculenta pictured.

“False Morel” is a generic term amongst the scientific community….sort of like “fish” in casual baitshop conversation. Gyromitra Esculenta, Verpa Bohemica, & Verpa Conica are three species I have found locally over the years in the upper midwest. All three have been coined “false morels” amongst other idioms like “beefstake morel”, “brain mushroom”, “elephant ear”, and the list could go on. You can Google each and pull up picture after picture for analysis. As for edibility? Some claim if harvested at the right time, prepared properly, and consummed in moderate amounts they are delicious and report no adverse affects. Others have reported a variety of symptoms. I myself have never sauteed a “false morel” or filleted a short nose gar for that matter.

I bump into these quite often every spring, but have never felt 100% safe to know the difference between the real and and any false morel. Is cutting them in half and their beeing hollow a 100% guarantee that they are good to eat?

Post some pictures if possible and you still aren’t 100% sure on identification.