Morchella costata

Morphological Features:

Pileus distinctly conical in shape, 3 to 4 cm wide at the base by 5 to 6 cm high, brownish-grey with purplish or olivaceous tints. Completely hollow, with a blunt apex rather than pointed. Covered vertically by quite prominent dark ridges, intersected by others forming alveoli.

Hymenium lining the interior of the alveoli, with the external ridges being sterile.

Stipe pinkish in color, slightly scurfy, hollow, and cylindrical.

Flesh fragile and brittle, with a pleasant fruity odor and mild taste.

Habitat:

A spring species and rather uncommon, growing in clearings of coniferous forests, as well as under riparian trees.

Observations:

It shares the same culinary value as other species of its genus; therefore, it must be thoroughly cooked or dried, as it is toxic when raw. It is closely related to Morchella conica, from which it is notably distinguished by its pinkish stipe. Both are understood to tend to darken over time, but not as rapidly as Morchella elata, another species related to the one described here.