Morel Identification

       DO NOT rely on just on this page to identify morels. This page does not contain enough complete information to do so. Visit my Links as there are much informative sites out there than mine. I tip my hat to those who have devoted so much time and study, and then are willing to share their knowledge with us all.    Aren't people great?  Also you should by a good book on mushrooms and hunt with someone experienced the first few times. 

Morel Identification / Description:

   * Cut lengthwise it will be hollow from bottom of stem to top of cap.  It'll look like a rubber mold, prompting comments from non-morel lovers.
 
   * Bottom of the cap is attached to the stem.
     [Cap and stalk all one piece]
 
   * Cap is full of Ridges and Pits.  [Prune like, only deeper pits]

   * On most Morels the cap is longer than the stem.

 

   * Stem has little bumps both inside and out.
Stalk is usually a lighter color  [sand, yellow or grayish color].
 
 

The Half-Free Morel

      The half-free morel's cap is unusually small in comparison to the stem and may only be 1/4^th the length of stem (stems in this photo were cut short ).
      Also cap is not connected at the bottom to the stem.  Notice the arrow pointing to connection point where stem was connected. It's only about ¹/2 of the way down cap of the half-free. That is where the common name comes from.  Only the bottom half of the cap is free.   Also notice that the entire morels is hollow.




Common False Morel (Verpa)

    Do not mistake the false morel (Verpa)
for the Half Free (above). The false morel looks very similar to the half free! The false morel's stem is usually filled with cotton-like fibers, unless a slug has Eaten inside it, and then it will appear hollow.  The top is connected at the absolute top of the cap.

When I first started morel hunting I tried one small bite of a Half Free morel (at least it looked like them??) It wasn't.  It was a Verpa that looks like the Half Free.

Yes, I am a slow learner.  Within minutes, I became extremely dizzy, and nauseous! I do not recommend anyone eating them. And unless you are VERY familiar with the identity of the half-free, and know the differences between them and the false morel, I don't recommend eating them either.  When in doubt, throw it out!

Here is some more photo's of the Verpa. NOTE the Wavy Ridges are Not Pitted as the true morel is.
             

The Beefsteak Mushroom

READ: About an 8 year old girls life threatening ordeal from eating this very mushroom!

Photo courtesy of
Tim R. © 2001                   Potentially dangerous beefsteak morel. Has an irregularly lobed and wavy, reddish brown cap and a yellowish white (often pinkish white) stem. It is not hollow, though there may be air pockets within the flesh. As the mushroom gets older, the ridges and lobes darken to nearly black.
The poison in false morels is MMH, or monmethylhydrazine (a chemical also found in rocket fuel). Its toxicity may be cumulative (you may eat false morels safely for years and then, one day, croak after one bite). Clearly, MMH is not to be messed with.  * Reference: Kuo, M. (2006, December). Gyromitra: The false morels. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/gyromitra.html