@fascinatedbyfungi: With the coming of spring, new life springs eternal - heralded by the appearance of morel mushrooms (Morchella). These are some of the most sought after wild edible mushrooms, they are absolutely delicious when cooked (but are toxic raw). There are hundreds of species of morels that occur around the world in different habitats, but they all have roughly conical caps covered in deep honey comb pits and are hollow inside. . There’s a lot of confusion out there concerning “false morels” which is an imprecise name applied to other Ascomycete mushrooms like Lorchells (Gyromitra), Thimble “morels” (Verpa), and Elfin Saddles (Helvella). In this video I show you a Morchella versus a Gyromitra, which has a darker brown cap, is not hollow inside, and has a fundamentally different feel and smell. Both these mushrooms contain potentially hazardous hydrazine toxins, but thankfully thorough cooking of morels blows off this volatile toxin. The smaller darker brown Lorchels (Gyromitra esculenta/infula) have high amounts of this toxin and should avoided. There are larger lighter brown Gyromitra species (like G. caroliania/montana) that can be cooked and consumed without ill effects. . Hoping this video will help clarify the differences between these types of Ascomycete mushrooms. . . . . #mushroomedu #mushroomidentification #morel #morels #morchella #gyromitra #falsemorel #falsemorels #lorchel #morelseason #LearnOnTikTok

Dr. Gordon Walker (FunGuy)

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Region: US

Sunday 24 March 2024 01:01:42 GMT