Both Morels and False Morels are Discomycetes, and the texture of their flesh is similar.
Ptycoverpa bohemica: This mushroom resembles the yellow morel so closely that it is called the early false morel. It grows in the same habitat as the yellow morel and often appears before the first morels emerge in the spring.Unlike the true morel, the stem and cap are not connected (fused) and hollow. Note the cylindrical stem that is stuffed with cottony white mycelium. Also note how the cap folds over the stem rather than fusing to it.These grow in the same habitat as the yellow morel.
Stem cross section below
The Helvellas are fall fungi and have an extruded-looking stem, as shown in the cross section Helvella lacunosa and H. crispa resemble morels but are found growing in the duff or on logs in the fall, rather than on the ground in spring like true morels.
The giant snowbank false morel, or calf’s brain, is often found near snowline in the spring. Lots of folks eat it, and some of them live to be pretty old. Some of them don't. Your call.
Another genus of false morels are known as the Gyromitra genus. This includes G. gigas, the snowbank false morel (left).
Gyromitra esculenta is known to contain toxic monomethyl hydrazines, which is a carcinogen and liver toxin. Note the wrinkled cap and the stem which has an almost fractal design.
Several species of Gyromitra have been shown to contain monomethylhydrazines, (MMH) which is used in concentrated form as self-oxidizing rocket fuel. In this form, it is a potent carcinogen. The concentrations in the fungi are very low, and MMH is a volatile compound, vaporizing off at 89 degrees Centigrade, I believe, so it is in the air, not the mushroom, when you cook it. Apparently people working in commercial kitchens where large amounts of these mushrooms were parboiled inhaled sufficient amounts of MMH to be taken ill.
Amounts of MMH in local species have not been comprehensively studied, but some appear to have extremely low amounts of this chemical in their tissue.
Gyromitra californica
"OK, SO IM DETERMINED TO EAT MY FALSE MORELS NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY.
What is the best way to prepare them?"
Slice them up and heat them in a frypan with a little water that you have over a campfire outside or with a good outside-vented fan. Let the steam go by without smelling it. Add some more water when it cooks off, and then saute the mushrooms in butter. They are great the first day.
The second day they are OK.
Only the really hungry and stubborn people are eating them the third day, and by the fourth day even they quit. The mushroom tells you to stop eating it.
Maybe thats why they only come up once a year...
Think that you can tell morels from their toxic cousins, the false morels? Look at the photo below and see how many false morels you can count.
For the answer go to the morel research page.
The WMMA hosts a morel mushroom hunt for members every spring.
If you would like to attend,
information will be printed in the next Fungal Jungal newsletter. WMMA annual
membership is $10 per person or $20 per family. Use the application form below.
Morel mushrooms (Genus Morchella) have a complex life cycle that is still the subject of much scientific study. Here's some info if you are interested in participating in morel research
Information on road closures, and how to access burn areas near you, will be posted on this site as it becomes available. Please visit us in March or April for more morel picking site information.
Info regarding Ethical Harvesting
For information on preserving morels, see our RECIPES section
Info about morels and their relationship with fire ecology.
Back to the FJ Front Page.
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