Morchella vulgaris

Description

Morchella vulgaris is a widespread fungus in the Morchellaceae family (Ascomycota). This species is characterized by the predominantly gray colors of its cap and "blistered", the highly irregular appearance of its ridges and pits. A very tasty mushroom but as with all Morels, it must be well cooked before consumption.

This mushroom has gone through some scientific name changes but has now settled on Morchella vulgaris. It has been often confused with forms of the Yellow Morel which is very closely related.

Scientific studies have found antioxidants that can strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of tumors. They are also used as a remedy for indigestion.

Common names: Common Morel.

Mushroom Identification

1. Cap

   They are very variable in size and color. Typically they are dark gray but do become lighter in color as they mature. The caps are conical with a network of irregular pits and ridges. The caps are hollow, Up to 8 cm across and 12 cm tall.

2. Stem

   White to yellow, they have vertical striation that runs the length of the stem. The stems are normally hollow and taper towards the base. Up to 12 cm long.

3. Gills

   They lack gills, the pits are lined with spore-producing asci, which release the spores into the wind.

4. Flesh

   Light whitish yellow, hollow, waxy, brittle.

5. Smell

   Pleasantly spicy, spermatic, mushroom-like.

6. Spores

   White to cream.

Look-Alikes

1. Morchella esculenta

   Has a lighter cell color and no "nodules" on the ribs.

2. Morchella crassipes

   Characterized by larger fruit body size and lighter color.

3. Phallus impudicus

   Has a pale stem and gray-brown cap, but isn’t pitted in the same way and stinks of rotten meat.

4. Verpa bohemica

   Has deep wrinkles on the cap but not the characteristic deep cups of the true Morels.

History

It was originally described in 1801 as a form of the common yellow morel (Morchella esculenta) by mycologist Christiaan Hendrik Persoon, but was later recombined as a distinct species by Samuel Gray.

Owing to its high morphological plasticity, its taxonomical status had long been in flux, sometimes treated as a variety of, or conspecific to Morchella esculenta, while at the same time several forms and varieties of M. vulgaris itself have been described. An extensive phylogenetic and nomenclatural study by Richard and colleagues in 2014, confirmed the status of Morchella vulgaris as a distinct species and resolved several of its synonymities.

Synonyms

1. Morchella esculenta var. vulgaris Pers., 1801

2. Morchella vulgaris (Pers.) Gray, 1821

3. Morchella esculenta var. vulgaris (Pers.) A. Gennari, 2000

Photo sources:

Photo 1 - Author: Srđan Lazarević (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Photo 2 - Author: TOMMES-WIKI (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 3 - Author: Mars 2002 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 4 - Author: Michel Langeveld (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Photo 5 - Author: Michel Langeveld (CC BY-SA 4.0)