brown bear

False morel (Gyromitra esculenta) &common morel (Morchella esculenta)Both species are edible but one of them should justbe carefully parboiled before eating. The false morel,whose folded cap resembles a brain, is the one thatneeds thorough treatment – thus, in the context ofspring mushrooms, “brain wash” has a very positivemeaning. The common morel, whose fruiting bodieshave a honeycomb-like outer surface, needs noparboiling.False morel is reddish to dark brown, commonmorel yellowish brown. In general, however, the capcolour should not be given too much importancein identifying mushroom species – in many speciesit varies greatly depending on the age of themushroom, the weather conditions and habitat.The false morel is our most common springmushroom. It grows in sandy pine forests, while thecommon morel prefers forest edges, parks, woodedmeadows and juniper scrubs.false morelcommon morelDeadly poisonous & edible mushroom species that are easily mixed upEstonian Museum of Natural History•Dangerous Nature: Myths & Reality25