Morchella esculenta

Morphological Features:

Pileus of uniform yellowish-ochre color, most often globose in shape, though it can also be ovoid. It can exceed 10 cm in height and is composed of very broad alveoli, arranged somewhat irregularly without following a specific pattern. It is hollow and its lower margin is fused to the stipe. Flexuous margin.

Hymenium, as in other species of its genus, is immersed within the alveolar cavities, with the outer margins being sterile.

Stipe generally whitish, occasionally somewhat ochraceous, hollow like the pileus. The base is typically furrowed, while the remainder is smooth and slightly pruinose.

Flesh fragile and brittle, with a distinct odor, strong but not unpleasant. However, its taste is mild.

Habitat:

It is one of the most common morels, growing in spring generally along riverbanks, near riparian trees such as ash or elm.

Observations:

It is a choice edible with a fine flavor, provided the precaution of cooking it beforehand is taken, as like all its congeners it is toxic when raw. Its yellowish-ochre color distinguishes it from other species, as does its tendency to exhibit a globose shape, which is somewhat uncommon in the genus.