Morchella elata

E. M. Fries : Fr.

Black Morel, Tall morel

Morchellaceae Edible: Mushroom, Fungus Potential hazards — see below 230 iNaturalist observations

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

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Summary

Morchella elata is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae. It is one of many related species commonly known as black morels, and until 2012 the name M. elata was broadly applied to black morels throughout the globe. Like most members of the genus, M. elata is a popular edible fungus and is sought by many mushroom hunters.

Description

A morel or mushroom.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

This is an edible species, although like other morels, some individuals may be allergic to it, so it must be cooked before being eaten. It can also be dried for later use. However, according to one field guide it may cause gastrointestinal disorder, and cannot easily be identified without a microscope.

Traditional Uses

The mushrooms are boiled or fried. They are also dried for later use.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

Morels may contain small amounts of monomethylhydrazine (the presence of hydrazine based mycotoxins is controversial since there are no primary references of these substances having been detected in the genus Morchella) or more likely an unknown toxin that is destroyed through cooking, so morel mushrooms should never be eaten raw. It has been reported that even cooked morels can sometimes cause mild adverse effects when consumed with alcohol.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Peru it grows between 3,600-3,900 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Europe, Himalayas, Italy, Mediterranean, Mexico, Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Peru, South America, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA.

Notes

They have also been put in the family Agaricaceae.

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

DEADLY

False Morel

Gyromitra esculenta

Unknown

Safe

Black Morel

Morchella elata

False Morel: Irregular brain-like wrinkles/folds, chambered or solid inside (not hollow), cap often hangs free from stem.

Black Morel: Regular honeycomb/pitted pattern on cap, completely hollow inside, cap attached directly to stem.

Synonyms

Morchella conica C.H. Persoon var. elata (E.M. Fries) P.C. Hennings

Also Known As

Da kwar guchhi, Gaoyangdujun, Kallampa, Mancita, Mathheuraa, Mazorquita, Organito

References (18)

Boa, E. R., 2004, Wild edible fungi and their importance to people. FAO Non Wood Forest Products Booklet 17
Bougher, N.L. & Syme, K., 1998, Fungi of Southern Australia. UWA Press p 100
Devkota, S., 2008, Distribution and Status of Highland mushrooms: A study from Dolpa, Nepal. J.Nat.Hist.Mus.Vol.23,2008, 51-59
Ertug, F., 2004, Wild Edible Plants of the Bodrum Area. (Mugla, Turkey). Turk. J. Bot. 28 (2004): 161-174
Estrada-Martinez, E., et al, 2009, Contribucion al conocimiento etnomicologico de los Hongos Comestibles Silvestres de Mercados Regionales y Comunidades de la Sierra Nevada (Mexico). Intercienca Jan 2009 Vol. 34 No. 1

Show all 18 references

Franquemont, C., et al, 1990, The Ethnobotany of Chinchero, an Andean Community in Southern Peru. Fieldiana Botany No. 24 p 32
Fuhrer, B., 2005, A field guide to Australian Fungi. Bloomings Books. p 329
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/edible.html
Jordan, P., 2000, The Mushroom Guide and Identifier, Hermes House, p 80
Kang, J. et al, 2016, Wild food plants and fungi used in the mycophilous Tibetan community of Zhagana (Tewo Country, Gansu, China) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 12:21
Kaufmann, B. et al, 1999, The Great Encyclopedia of Mushrooms. Konemann. p 225
Montoya, A., et al, 2003, Traditional Knowledge about Mushrooms in a Nahua Community in the State of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Mycologia 95(5) pp. 793-806
Montoya, A., et al, 2014, Availability of Wild Edible Fungi in La Malinche National park, Mexico. Journal of Mycology. Article ID 241896, 15 pages
Pace, G., 1998, Mushrooms of the world. Firefly books. p 237
Perez-Moreno, J., et al, 2009, Social and Biotechnological Studies of Wild Edible Mushrooms in Mexico. Acta Botanica Yunnanica Suppl. XV1: 55-61
Sher, H. et al, 2011, Ethnobotanical and Economic Observations of Some Plant Resources from the Northern Parts of Pakistan. Ethnobotany research & Applications 9:027-041
Thomson, G. & Morgan, W., (Ed.) 2001, Access to Asian Foods Newsletter, Vic Govt., Australia Issue 9
www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au