Morchella iberica

A newly described species that has been overlooked due to confusion with Morchella semilibera, with which it shares great similarity.

It possesses a pileus up to 7 cm long, truncate-conical, with an obtuse apex that can elongate with maturity. Its primary ridges are sinuous and anastomosed, initially whitish, blackening with age. The secondary ridges are poorly differentiated. The vallecula is broad and free along approximately 1/3 of its length, which distinguishes it from similar species such as M. semilibera or M. populiphila.

It is a vernal species mainly found in riparian forests under Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, and Populus spp.

The microscopic study corresponds to a collection made in early April in the municipality of Merindad de Valdivielso (Burgos), under Populus spp. Another photograph is added from a subsequent collection in the municipal district of Medina de Pomar (Burgos), also in April and in the same habitat.