some c'oimmox ml'sliitooms and how to know 111 km 

 morchp:lla, morel 



57 



TIu' morels, belon^iiij; to the ^'ciiiis Morcliclla, arc vciv easily 

 (listin<:iiisluMl by the proiuiiieiitly ridded and })itted cap, which is 

 hoHow and continuous with the cavity of the stem to which it is 

 adnate throu<!;hoiit its len<i;th. The ])hints are stipitate, waxy, and 

 brittle in consistency, and the caps are conic or cylindric to ovate 

 in shape. 



From early historic times the morels have been considered amon<r 

 the choicest edible fungi. 



FuauE 4!i. — JJorc/uild (scnltntu. (Edible) 



MORCHELLA ESCUI.ENTA. MORBX. (EDIBI.E) 

 (Fig. 49) 



The species of most common occurrence is MorchcUa eficulenta, the common 

 morel, or, as it is sometimes known, the sponge mushroom. The plants are 

 from 2 to 4 inches high and about lYj to 2 inches broad; the cap is ovate or 

 oblong, deeply pitted, dingy yellow or tawny : the stem is 1 to 2 inches 

 long, stout, generally hollow, whitish. This species is widely distributed and 

 occurs abundantly on the grotmd, jjarticularly along banks of streams or 

 in sandy localities. 



Considerable variation in shape may be observed among individual speci- 

 mens of a single collection. The caps may vary from conical to ovate. 

 Certain authorities consider tliis a specific difference and others a varietv. 



