False Morel

Description:

The False Morel is a relatively small fungus, but can get to 10 mm high and 15 mm wide. The characteristic shape is often described as looking brain-like and the color can range from dark red to purple depending on the environment. Although this mushroom resembles the highly valuable more mushrooms, the species Gyromitra contain the poison gyromitrin, which is known to affect the central nervous system and common symptoms of poisonings include nausea, jaundice, and even death. Even though it is a known poisonous mushroom, different cultures around the world consider it a delicacy, like the Swedish and even in Northwest North America. One way to distinguish morels from false morels is to cut it in half and if the inside is hollow, it is a morel. It it isn't hollow, it is species of false mores.

Habitat:

False Morels re commonly found in sandy soil under coniferous trees in Spring and Summer.

Notes:

I found this specimen in front of a post office and it smelled like chocolate to me. Elizabeth Green