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Morchella conica

Pers.

Has a deadly poisonous lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) oliviarosen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Joe Paquin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

(c) Joe Paquin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Morchella conica is an old binomial name previously applied to species of fungi in the family Morchellaceae. It is one of three scientific names that had been commonly used to describe black morels, the others being M. angusticeps and M. elata. It was first introduced by mycologist Christian Hendrik Persoon in 1818, as a superfluous name for the old taxon Morchella continua. According to Richard and colleagues, Fries’ sanctioning applies only at the subgeneric level and the name is illegitimate. Throughout the years, the name M. conica has been invariably applied to many different species by different authors, and DNA analysis in 2014 revealed that morels identified as "M. conica" indeed belonged to Morchella deliciosa, Morchella purpurascens, Morchella tridentina, and Morchella vulgaris.

Description

Morchella conica is a morel mushroom in the family Morchellaceae, found in temperate to subtropical regions, and is popular for culinary use.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The mushroom fruiting body is edible.

Distribution

It is a temperate to subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Balkans, Botswana, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Chile, China, Georgia, Himalayas, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Southern Africa, South America, Turkey, Türkiye,

Other Information

It is popular.

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

Morchella conica

Morchella conica

(c) oliviarosen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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

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

Also Known As

Khrispashva, Mathheura, Mazorquita, Organito

References (12)

  • Acharya, K. P., Paudel, P. K., 2020, Biodiversity in Karnali Province: Current Status and Conservation. Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, Karnali Province Government, Surkhet, Nepal
  • Boa, E. R., 2004, Wild edible fungi and their importance to people. FAO Non Wood Forest Products Booklet 17
  • Bussman, R. W., et al, 2016, A comparative ethnobotany of Khevsureti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Tusheti, Svaneti, and Racha-Lechkhumi, Republic of Georgia (Sakartvelo), Caucasus. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2016) 12:4
  • Bussman, R. W., et al, 2021, Unity in diversity—food plants and fungi of Sakartvelo (Republic of Georgia), Caucasus. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2021) 17:72 p 16
  • Christensen, M., et al, 2008, Collection and Use of Wild Edible Fungi in Nepal. Economic Botany, 62(1), 2008, pp. 12–23
Show all 12 references
  • Denchev, C. M., et al, The wild edible mushrooms in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Academy of Science.
  • Devkota, S., 2008, Distribution and Status of Highland mushrooms: A study from Dolpa, Nepal. J.Nat.Hist.Mus.Vol.23,2008, 51-59
  • 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
  • Fox, F. W. & Young, M. E. N., 1982, Food from the Veld. Delta Books. p 234
  • Hall, I. R., et al, 2003, Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of the World. Timber Press. p 310
  • Martin, J. S. & Villagra M. M., 2013, Productos forestales no madereros de la Region del Maule. p 21
  • Mortimer, P. E. et al, 2012, Prized edible Asian mushrooms: ecology, conservation and sustainability. Fungal Diversity 56(1) p 31-47

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