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False morel (Gyromitra esculenta)
Sophia Bowes · CC BY 4.0
Deadly poisonous

False morel

Gyromitra esculenta · Discinaceae

The false morel is a dark brown mushroom with a folded, brain-like cap that fruits in the same season as true morels.

FamilyDiscinaceae
SeasonMar–May
Spore printWhitish to yellowish buff
Cap width12 cm
Stem length6 cm
Records in Turkey2 records
CultivationWild only
StatusDeadly poisonous

The false morel is a dark brown mushroom with a folded, brain-like cap that fruits in the same season as true morels. Its gyromitrin turns into monomethylhydrazine in the body, affecting the liver and nervous system, and can kill. Although it is parboiled and eaten in some places, thorough cooking has been shown not to remove all the toxin.

Also called: brain mushroom, turban fungus Turkish: Sahte kuzugöbeği, kuzugöbeği ebesi, yarım kafa mantarı

False morel

How to recognise it

False morel, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: Whitish to yellowish buff Not distinctive.

Cap — False morel
CapUp to 12 cm, irregular and brain-like; brown with reddish, chestnut or purplish tones, darkening with age.
Cap surfaceNo gills or pits; the surface is folded, not honeycombed.
Stem — False morel
StemWhite and stout, up to 6 cm; chambered inside, not one continuous hollow.

When and where

Mar–May

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Marin season
  4. Aprin season
  5. Mayin season
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

The false morel fruits in spring and early summer, the same season as true morels; in Turkey, GBIF records peak in April.

Where do false morels grow?

The false morel grows in coniferous woods on sandy soil, mostly under pines, and is more common in the mountains than in the lowlands.

In Turkey

The false morel has been recorded from Uşak Province in western Turkey, and GBIF holds a record from Ankara (Çamlıdere).

  • Ankara2

2 observations on our map (GBIF, iNaturalist). Record density also reflects where observers work.

Latest false morel observations

See on the map

In its habitat — False morel
In its habitat
In its habitat — False morel
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What is it mistaken for?

False morel
False morel
Morel
Morel
Edible species

Morel Morchella esculenta

A morel has a regular, pitted honeycomb cap and one continuous hollow from cap to stem; the false morel has brain-like folds and a chambered inside. Slice it lengthwise and look.

Toxins

The false morel's active toxin is gyromitrin, which turns into monomethylhydrazine in the body. Source

Frequently asked questions

Are false morels poisonous?

Yes, the false morel is deadly poisonous and must never be eaten. Cooking does not remove all the toxin. If you think it has been eaten, call 112 (Turkish poison centre: 114).

When is false morel season in Turkey?

In our calendar, false morel season runs Mar–May. The false morel fruits in spring and early summer, the same season as true morels; in Turkey, GBIF records peak in April.

Where do false morels grow?

The false morel grows in coniferous woods on sandy soil, mostly under pines, and is more common in the mountains than in the lowlands.

Where are false morels found in Turkey?

The false morel has been recorded from Uşak Province in western Turkey, and GBIF holds a record from Ankara (Çamlıdere).

What can the false morel be confused with?

The false morel can be confused with morel (Morchella esculenta, edible species). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is the false morel called in Turkish?

In Turkish, the false morel (Gyromitra esculenta) is called Sahte kuzugöbeği; other local names include kuzugöbeği ebesi and yarım kafa mantarı.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (4)
Photo credits (10)