Morchella Sp

Edibility

Morels are a highly prized edible mushroom that must be thoroughly cooked to transform it to a extremely tasty mushroom. Due to the cavities on the cap of the mushroom it absorbs sauces very well. This is also a mushroom that can be dried and then re-hydrated and makes a great mushroom gravy and sauce, it is a very highly regarded mushroom in French cuisine . 

Habitat

There are quite a few species of Morels growing in Australia and these are divided into two main groups Yellow Morels and Black Morels (black being the most tasty).

There have been Several species of Black Morels DNA tested in Australia, which include Morchella exima and Morchella australiana.

The Morels in Australia grow in a variety of different habitats.

Pine bark mulch.(most common and not as highly prized in my opinion)

Geographically granite areas.

Areas that have been affected by bush fires within the last year.

Description

This another mushroom whose name comes together perfectly including the scientific name which actually makes sense. 

Morel or Morchella This name relates back to an old German word called"morchel" meaning Mushroom.

This is quite a very good mushroom for beginners due to its quite distinctive characteristics and also habitat which narrows down potential lookalikes however can be quite elusive so you will need patience ( note there is a toxic lookalike).

Appearance

The Cap

Depending on the species the cap is yellowy to cream in colour or greyish black. Usually around 2cm-7cm in diameter and 3cm to 8cm in length. The cap is firm and feels rubbery to touch and are hollow when cut open, they covered in an irregular array of pits which is honeycomb in appearance and separated by narrow ridges. At the base of the cap the stem rolls inwards and is fused to the stem.

The Stem

The stem is white or pale cream in colour and also waxy to touch the stem is tough, hollow, smooth; 3cm to 8cm tall and 2cm to 6cm diameter wide at the base. 

Spore Colour  

Creamy to pale white    

Distribution

QLD-NSW-VIC-SA-WA-TAS

Lookalikes

Although this mushroom is quite distinctive, it could to the novice be confused with Gyromitra esculenta, commonly called the False Morel or the Turban Fungus, Which is poisonous.

Please use this reference as a tool for identification only and never eat any mushroom unless you do your own research and you are 100% sure. Remember if in doubt leave it out!