← All articles

Know this look-alike

Morel Look-alikes: False Morels and Early Morels

These look-alikes can be deadly. Get the identification right before you eat anything. True morels are hollow from the tip of the cap to the base of the stem. The dangerous mimics are false morels (Gyromitra), whose brain-like caps are stuffed with cottony fibers and whose toxin can be fatal, and early morels (Verpa), whose caps attach only at the very top. Half-free morels attach about halfway down but are still hollow throughout. Slice every morel top to bottom before you cook it.

The dangerous species

False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta (and related Gyromitra spp.))
Jeffrey Lee (he/him/his) · CC BY
⚠ do not eat

False Morel

Gyromitra esculenta (and related Gyromitra spp.)

How to tell it apart

  • The red-brown cap is irregularly lobed, rather like a brain, and is usually broader than it is tall. First Nature ↗
  • When consumed, the principal active mycotoxin, gyromitrin, is hydrolyzed into the toxic compound monomethylhydrazine, which affects the liver, central nervous system, and sometimes the kidneys. Wikipedia ↗
  • Even after boiling, small amounts of gyromitrin and other hydrazine derivatives remain in the mushrooms. Wikipedia ↗
Early Morel / Wrinkled Thimble Cap (Verpa bohemica / V. conica)
Sharon Squazzo · CC BY
⚠ do not eat

Early Morel / Wrinkled Thimble Cap

Verpa bohemica / V. conica

How to tell it apart

  • A feature distinguishing the species from true morels (genus Morchella), the cap hangs free from the top of the stem, which is lighter in color, brittle, and up to 12 cm (4 3/4 in) long by 1 to 2.5 cm (3/8 to 1 in) thick. Wikipedia ↗
  • Although it is eaten by many, consumption of large amounts in a single sitting, or on successive days, has been reported to cause poisoning in susceptible individuals. Wikipedia ↗

Edibles people confuse with these

If you are foraging any of these, rule out the look-alikes above every time.

The notes above are an educational starting point, not a substitute for a field guide or an experienced forager. If you are not completely certain, do not eat it.