Morel semi-free (Morchella semilibera)
Systematics:
- Department: Ascomycota (Ascomycetes)
- Subdivision: Pezizomycotina (Pesizomycotins)
- Class: Pezizomycetes (Pecicomycetes)
- Subclass: Pezizomycetidae (Pecicomycetes)
- Order: Pezizales
- Family: Morchellaceae (Morels)
- Genus: Morchella (Morel)
- Species: Morchella semilibera (Morel semi-free)
Other names:
- Morchella hybrida;
- Morchella rimosipes.
Morel semi-free (Morchella semilibera) – a mushroom belonging to the Morel family (Morchellaceae)
External description
The cap of semi-free morels is located in relation to the leg freely, without growing together with it. The color of its surface is brown, the size of the cap of a semi-free morel is small, characterized by a conical shape. It has sharp, longitudinally directed septa and diamond-shaped cells.
The pulp of the fruit body of a semi-free morel is very thin and brittle, exuding an unpleasant aroma. the leg of the morel is semi-free, hollow inside, most often has a yellowish tint, sometimes it can be white. The height of the fruiting body (with a cap) can reach 4-15 cm, but sometimes larger mushrooms are also found. The height of the leg varies within 3-6 cm, and the width is 1.5-2 cm. Fungal spores are colorless, characterized by an elliptical shape and a smooth surface.
Season and habitat of the fungus
Semi-free morel (Morchella semilibera) begins to actively bear fruit in May, grows in woodlands, gardens, groves, parks, on fallen leaves and last year's vegetation, or directly on the surface of the soil. You can rarely meet this species. The fungus of this species prefers to grow under linden and aspen trees, but it can also be seen under oaks, birches, in thickets of nettles, alder and other tall grasses.
Edibility
Edible mushroom.
Similar types and differences from them
Externally, the morel is semi-free, similar to a mushroom called the morel cap. In both species, the edges of the cap are free, without adhering to the stem. Also, the described mushroom is close in its external parameters to the conical morel (Morchella conica). True, in the latter, the fruit body is slightly larger in size, and the edges of the cap always grow together with the surface of the leg.
Other information about the mushroom
On the territory of Poland, a mushroom called semi-free morel is listed in the Red Book. In one of the regions of Germany (Rhine), Morchella semilibera is a common fungus that can be harvested in spring.
