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The species name, esculenta,<br />
refers to the excellent edibility<br />
of the fungus, but there is abundant<br />
reason to question the wisdom<br />
of partaking too freely,<br />
or even at all, of this fungus.<br />
Granted that many people have<br />
eaten it in quantity and for<br />
years and have only the highest<br />
admiration for its quality, the<br />
fact remains that in both Europe<br />
and America it has been<br />
known with certainty to have<br />
caused fatal poisoning. Many of<br />
these cases have been too well<br />
authenticated to permit reasonable<br />
doubt as to the identity of<br />
the fungus responsible. Such<br />
MORELS AND SADDLE FUNGI<br />
Figure 56. Gyromitra esculenta.<br />
Edibility doubtful.<br />
cases are rare, to be sure, and most of them have occurred among<br />
people who were sick or undernourished. Considering the extent<br />
to which the fungus is eaten and the general excellence of its<br />
reputation, it is with some misgivings that the author puts it on his<br />
blacklist, but the fact that it has been known, unquestionably, to<br />
poison people is sufficient justification for condemning it.<br />
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