cap up to 8cm wide, hollow inside with characteristic honeycomb surface consisting of black/brown ridges and dark brown pits, darkening with age.
stem is white, smooth, irregular and hollow.
bottom of cap does not hang loose but is joined to the stem.
grows single or numerous on the ground, usually near conifers.
appears in early spring.
mild pleasant taste and odor; cook before eating.
tip: morels are variable shape, size and color (white/gray/yellow/brown/black), but are characterized by their distinctively shaped caps that do not hang loose and their hollowness; all morels are prized edibles.
warning: may be poisonous if consumed with alchohol.
warning: do not confuse with a False morel, which is not hollow inside and has a cap attached at the top of the stalk rather than a continuous hollow chamber.