Morchella

Lore & Background

The genus Morchella has been the source of considerable taxonomical controversy, with some mycologists recognizing as few as three species and others over thirty. Current molecular phylogenetics suggest there might be over seventy species worldwide, most exhibiting high continental endemism and provincialism. The genus is currently the focus of extensive phylogenetic, biogeographical, taxonomical, and nomenclatural studies, with new species described from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Israel, Spain, and Turkey.

Reader's Guide

Morchella species are highly polymorphic in shape, color, and size, which has historically contributed to uncertainties in taxonomy. Early phylogenetic analyses supported the hypothesis of few species with considerable phenotypic variation, but multigenic DNA studies have revealed more than a dozen genealogically distinct species in North America and at least as many in Europe. Three discrete clades have been identified: white morels, yellow morels, and black morels, with the fire-associated gray morel possibly forming its own clade. The genus continues to undergo extensive re-evaluation regarding the taxonomic status of several species, with studies in Western Europe, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, China, Patagonia, and the Himalayas supporting a species-rich view.

Did You Know?

• Morels can be toxic if consumed raw or undercooked.
• The caps of true morels are always hollow when sliced lengthwise, unlike false morels.
• Molecular phylogenetics suggest there might be over seventy species of Morchella worldwide.
• Commercial harvesting of wild morels is a multimillion-dollar industry in the temperate Northern Hemisphere.