Morchella semilibera: The Ultimate Mushroom Guide

About The Morchella semilibera Mushroom

The conical brownish cap appears to sit as if placed on top of a sturdy cream-colored stem. The lower part of the cap is not attached to the stem as it is in the Common Morel, hence the name ‘Semi-free Morel’.

Half free Morels decompose dead or dying organic matter. The cap is honeycomb-like with brownish-black ridges and yellowish pits. The bottom half of the cap hangs free from the whitish stalk that is completely hollow. Like most mushrooms, they must be cooked first before consuming them.

This is a very variable species, and specimens with a large head could easily be mistaken for Morchella elata. However, cutting the fungus in half will show that the lower part of the cap is free from the stem, hence the name.

Not as good a find as a true Morel, but a tasty find none the less. Must be cooked before consumption.

Other names: Half-Free Morel.

Morchella semilibera Identification

1. Cap

   Conical and hollow with a random honeycomb effect where the background is brown and the ridges dark to black. The cap edge hangs free from about halfway down, hence semi-free, unlike other Morels where the cap edge joins the stem.

2. Stem

   White to off white, hollow through to the cap and usually with wide striations running vertically.

3. Flesh: Thin and white inside.

4. Habitat: Damp woodland and copses.

5. Spore Print: Cream to pale yellow.

Morchella semilibera Possible Confusion

The false morel, Gyromitra esculenta, but this is more lobed or brain-like rather than pitted and honeycomb like cap of the morel.