Morchella elata

Ditiola · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 09:33 AM

Two years ago I was fortunate to see about two hundred Morels in newly constructed shrub beds at a local school. The school were concerned they might have been poisonous and had removed two bin bags full before my arrival At the time I decided they were Morchella elata. There was a range of shapes and colours present in the same beds. Below are the two extremes in shape and colour.

The golden brown one has definite vertical parallel ridges and a rounded top

The dark one has les distinct parallel ridges and a very pointed top.

Are these really the same species?

Is this the range to be expected in M.elata?

Peter

NickCantle · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 03:37 PM

I personally believe that they're both M. elata at different stages of development. Though, if they're really black at an early stage, it generally indicates a lack of moisture.

Lovely images as per usual Peter.

Phungus · #3 (**permalink**) 04-05-2010, 05:07 PM

Chris Yeates points out in a recent thread...
Unidentified Fungi Help please

Quote:

Courtecuisse (1995) says "M. costata is often confused with M. elata . . . (= M. conica) which has less parallel ribs and occurs in woods." He cites "orchards, rubbish heaps" as the habitat for costata . . .

the distinctions between the various morel "species" are often very subjective, and microscopy does not help