Magnificent Mushrooms! #4

Hi everyone and welcome back to more magnificent mushrooms! Although the main focus is on mushrooms of Northeastern North America, some of them can even be found in other areas of the continent as well, plus in other areas of the world. Mushrooms are very interesting fungi and can be found most anywhere, though some have very specific habitats where they can be found.

Morel mushrooms are one of the edible varieties that people look for in the spring, so this is a good time to introduce another mushroom called a False Morel. Specifically, for today we have the Conifer False Morel. The stem can be up to about 4 inches (9cm) tall, the cap can be up to 4 inches (10cm) high and up to about 5 inches (12cm) wide. The cap is very wrinkled/folded and rather like a brain.

Conifer False Morel. POISONOUS!

These are generally found under pines where needles from the pines cover the ground. Their main time is from April to June, though around here May to June is more like it. It is quite a common mushroom and great to find and photograph, but do not eat! It is POISONOUS! This mushroom produces a toxin that can cause intense sickness and death. Well, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2024 Steve McLeod.