486 



MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND OTHERWISE 



Morchella esculenta. Pers. 

 The Common Morel. Edible. 



Figure 409. Morchella esculenta. 

 natural size. 



Two-thirds 



The Common Morel has a cap a 

 little longer than broad, so that it 

 is almost oval in outline. Some- 

 times it is nearly round but again 

 it is often slightly narrowed in its 

 upper half, though not pointed or 

 cone-like. The pit's in its surface 

 are more nearly round than in the 

 other species. In this species the 

 pits are irregularly arranged so 

 that they do not form rows, as 

 will be observed in Figure 409. 



It grows from two to four 

 inches high and is known by most 

 people as the Sponge mushroom. 

 It grows in woods and wood 

 borders, especially besde wood 

 streams. Old apple and peach 

 orchards are favorite places for 

 Morels. It makes no difference 

 if the beginner cannot identify the 

 species, as they are all equally 

 good. I have seen collectors have 

 for sale a bushel basketful, in 

 which half a dozen species were 

 represented. They dry very easily 

 and can be kept for winter use. 

 It is said to grow in great profu- 

 sion over burnt districts. The 

 German peasants were reputed to 

 have burned forest tracts to insure 

 an abundant crop. I find that 

 more people know the Morels than 

 any other mushroom. They are 

 found through April and May. 

 after warm rains. 



