Plate II

Yellow Morel

Morchella esculenta

Choice edible — cook thoroughly

A true honeycomb of pits and ridges over a stem that is hollow root-to-tip.

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1Honeycomb pits
2Hollow stipe
3Attached base

Specimen record

Hymenium: Pitted (honeycomb)
Spore print: Cream-yellow
Season: Spring
Habitat: Elm/ash/apple; old burn sites

Field notes

The cap is a network of pitted chambers, not a wrinkled brain, and it is fully attached to the stem. Bisect it lengthwise: a true morel is one continuous hollow chamber from cap to base. Never eat it raw — morels are edible only well-cooked.

Do not confuse with · ✗

False morel (Gyromitra)

Brain-like and wavy rather than pitted, and cotton-stuffed (not cleanly hollow) inside. Contains a rocket-fuel toxin — avoid.

Take it further

Read the deeper field guides, browse Field ID topics, or carry the plate as original merch in the plate shop.