This group is the most recognizable of all mushrooms. They have a spongelike crown which is perched upon a pale, hollow stem. The cap is attached directly to the white stem at the base of the crown. Puffballs are also considered morels and are quite tasty. The morels love evergreen forests, low, wet areas, and can often be found along fence rows. They blend in well with their surroundings, therefore, they can easily camouflage themselves. They are a great compliment to beef and fish dishes, as well as eggs and sauces. They are also delicious sauteed in butter and garlic, and can be used to garnish any main dish, or served as a side dish with lobster.
I have marked the poisonous one in “RED“.
Common Morel
Morchella esculenta, is an edible mushroom which is also known as the sponge mushroom, pine cone fungus, the honeycomb, and mountain fish. The caps are two to four inches long with deep pits that look like a sponge. The stem can be anywhere from 1/2 inch to four inches in length, is white with yellowish spores. It is found throughout the United States, usually found in apple orchards, in low, wet areas and is usually found in groups. It has a brownish, spongelike head, hollow interior and a cap which is connected to the stem. It fruits in May.
Black Morel
Morchella angusticeps, is an edible mushroom which is commonly known as the mountain fish, slender-capped morel, and the narrow-capped morel. Its cap is anywhere from 3/4 inches to 2 1/2 inches in length and has a narrow pitted head. It resembles a slender upside down pine cone. The pits are dull brown with ridges of tan or gray brown. The stem is 3/4 inch to 2 1/2 inches in length, is hollow and flaky and almost as thick as the head. It is found in the evergreen areas of the United States and can be found along roadsides, in aspen stands, and hardwood forests. It ruits in early spring.
White Morel
Morchella deliciosa, is also an edible mushroom and is often called the delicious morel. The cap can be from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches in length and looks like a honeycomb. It has a spongy, hollow cap and can be found in grassy areas at the edge of forests. It is one of the last morels to appear in springtime.
False Morel
Gyromitra esculenta, a “Poisonous” mushroom, is also known as the brain mushroom, elephant ear, or beefsteak morel. Its cap is one to four inches in length, is wavy and wrinkled like the lobes of a brain. Not pitted, this mushroom is yellowish brown to dark reddish brown with a cap that is attached to at the top of the stem. The stem is 3/4 inch to two inches in length. It lives in evergreen forests and fruits in early spring, and early summer in the mountains. Beware when coming across this mushroom.
Early Morel
Verpa bohemica, is poisonous! The cap is 3/4 inch to 1 1/4 inches in length. It is easily distinguished by its bell or thimble shaped form which hangs free from its stem and is only attached at the top of the stem. The stem is 1 1/4 inch to 3 1/4 inches in length, cream colored and hollow. The small, skirt-like cap has a surface that is wrinkled into long pits. This morel loves rich soil in low, wet areas such as swamps and riverbanks. Fruits in early spring.
A special note: Always be wary when approaching wild plants, especially fungi. Know which ones are edible and which ones to steer clear of when finding them in the wild. Study any wild plant before consuming them.