Morchella americana Clowez & Matherly 2012
was previously called Morchella esculenta, a name originally given to a European morel. Our look-a-like is genetically different enough to warrant having its own scientific name. All morels are pitted and have hollow stipes. The cap base is fused to the stipe. They are found under dying elms, in old apple orchards, under tulip poplars and many other trees. They are edible when cooked and poisonous when eaten raw. hollow stipes. The cap base is fused to the stipe. They are found under dying elms, in old apple orchards, under tulip poplars and many other trees. They are edible when cooked and poisonous when eaten raw. It is not recommended that morels be picked from old apple orchards as those tested to date absorb arsenic. It was common practice to kill poison ivy which often surrounds these fruit trees with chemicals that concentrate arsenic.
Morchella americana (Morchella esculenta)
Morchella americana (Morchella esculenta)