False Morels

[Trapper John]

Hi folks,
I found these "False Morels" today.
I check several guide books to make sure that is what they are plus my "google Lens app"
Yep, Sure are False Morels
Toxicity it says: ..... "poison so use caution"   
JC 

[callturner]

If you cut it in half and its solid its false, hollow its a real one.

[teanawayslayer]

There’s no way I would pick those thinking they were a Morrell. Atleast over here on the east side they look nothing like that.

[trophyhunt]

There’s no way I would pick those thinking they were a Morrell. Atleast over here on the east side they look nothing like that.

  even the false morals I’ve seen in photos don’t look like those !

[Pathfinder101]

Those are giant raisins.  They should be good on cereal.   

[Jake Dogfish]

Putting the word “false” in front of anything, is not a good way to let people know what you are talking about.
Don’t eat those.

[CastleRocker]

I've eaten a lot of false morels, and those in the pictures are nothing like we picked and ate.  The ones we ate for years looked exactly like a regular morel, only smaller, and the stem wasn't as thick.  They grew down low by the river, usually in sandy soil.  They come up under the Cottonwoods after a couple nice sunny days, always when the Springers were in the river.

[cjjcb]

Looks like Gyromitra esculenta…
Not good…

[cjjcb]

I've eaten a lot of false morels, and those in the pictures are nothing like we picked and ate.  The ones we ate for years looked exactly like a regular morel, only smaller, and the stem wasn't as thick.  They grew down low by the river, usually in sandy soil.  They come up under the Cottonwoods after a couple nice sunny days, always when the Springers were in the river.

verpa bohemica?

[wapitislayer]

I use to pick them years ago and I cannot recall ever picking them in grass like that! Pretty much around cottonwoods where I found them!  They did not look nothing like that!

[Ironhead]

Those are NOT Verpas.

[cjjcb]

Agreed

The OP picture looks Gyromitra…
https://www.google.com/search?q=gyromitra+esculenta&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

Castlerockers description sounds like Verpas, but obviously don’t know without photos.

[RobinHoodlum]

The ones in pics indeed appear to be among the false morel or brain mushroom (genus = Gyromitra). But, possibly also Helvella (elfin saddles) as the two genus are easily confused by novices Since most Gyromitra are seriously poisonous, all should be avoided unless you're really good at identification.

Verpa bohemica, on the other hand, are among the thimble morels. These are the ones associated with cottonwoods in W. WA. Their true common name is 'early morel'. They are edible, but proceed with caution. They can cause stomach cramps/distress and loss of muscular coordination. Different responses for different people. Cook thoroughly and eat small portions. Especially if you're never had them. Pickin is good for them right now BTW!

[cjjcb]

Good stuff, RH…

I would add that typically Helvella hits it’s peak around November, thats why Im more inclined to think its gyro, usually peaks spring/summer, based on the photo and time of year…

[Trapper John]

Great info guys.
I found these mushrooms in the grass behind my camping trailer.  There use to be a Blue Spruce tree there a couple of years ago.
I did what you guys said.
I went out and "cut one down" (it's hugh) about 4" high and about 3" wide
and full of bugs.

Here a couple pictures of it.
Thanks for the information
JC   

[Trapper John]

Here's a couple more

[hunter399]

There’s no way I would pick those thinking they were a Morrell. Atleast over here on the east side they look nothing like that.

Thinking the same.
I'd never mistake that.
Looks like a pile...........  You know.

[Trapper John]

Sooooooooo what kind of mushroom are they?  Are they a morel of some kind?

Things are loaded with ugly bugs too 
JC

[cjjcb]

Sooooooooo what kind of mushroom are they?  Are they a morel of some kind?

Things are loaded with ugly bugs too 
JC

Check out the link in my earlier post. Just based on your photos I would say Gyromitra esculenta but I can't be 100% only looking at photos.

I personally would not eat them. 

[pianoman9701]

Looks like Gyromitra esculenta…
Not good…

Correct. I know people who eat them. You can eat them many times with no ill effect. And then, wham! cold sweats, kidney and liver problems, tachycardia. Fun stuff.

[pianoman9701]

This is verpa bohemica. Edible and as stated above, don't eat a lot of them, especially the first time of the season. They're commonly called thimble caps because the cap sits on the stem like a thimble on a finger. The stem can be the source of digestive distress. When you harvest them, the stem breaks cleanly. Leave less than an inch under the cap. The stem isn't hollow and is unlike a true morel (morchella delisiosa, esculenta, etc.) in this way. With a true morel, the cap and stem are connected and hollow.

[Bigshooter]

Has anyone been finding any verpas or morels?  I'm starting to get excited about getting out and looking for some.

[Born2late]

Has anyone been finding any verpas or morels?  I'm starting to get excited about getting out and looking for some.

We are done with the Verpas in the low elevation in Marysville. Been done for a week or so where we were picking.