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Common Names: The Black Morel
The Conic Morel
Peck's Morel
Morchella angusticeps Peck complex
GROWTH PARAMETERS 409
Figure 366. Morcneua angusuceps mycelia 3, 5 and 7 days alter inoculation onto malt agar media.
Taxonomic Synonyms & Considerations: Morel taxonomy, to put it politely, is horribly confused.
From the same culture, I have grown Morels totally dissimilar in appearance, bolstering my suspicions
about the divisions between "species". My experiences reveal that the growth environment has a
radical effect on morphology. And, from a cultivator's point of view, I see some natural groupings.
The Morel taxa, which include all the white, yellow and black forms, are far too numerous to list
here. However, the Black Morels are a naturally definable cluster, including Morchella angusticeps,
M. conica, and M. elata. In culture, they behave similarly. I would not be surprised if they are all
found to be the same species in the broadest sense. A new, totally Black Morel, covered with a fine
fuzzy coat, is called Morchella atrotomentosa (Moser) Bride, a mushroom that was uncommon in
North America until the year after theYellowstone fires. (See Figure 368). This Morel is so unique in
its appearance that I would be surprised if it shared synonymy with any other. The Yellow or White
Morels include Morchella esculenta, M. deliciosa and M. crassipes. These morels are extremely
similar and probably cross-over taxonomically. The Half-free Morel, Morchella semilibera, which
has short cap overhanging the stem, also stands apart from these other Morels. New DNA studies are
soon to be published which should shed light onto the abyss of Morel taxonomy.
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