Species library · Mushrooms

False Morel: deadly poisonous

Gyromitra esculenta

☠ Deadly poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

False Morel is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from April to June in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Disturbed ground.

☠ Deadly poisonous
False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0

When False Morel appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

False Morel is usually found in Woodland, Disturbed ground.

Look up False Morel in the app

In the Forage app, False Morel has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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False Morel: common questions

Is False Morel poisonous?

Yes. False Morel is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does False Morel appear?

False Morel usually appears from April to June in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does False Morel grow?

False Morel is usually found in Woodland, Disturbed ground.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits