Snow False Morel

Gyromitra gigas

Coniferous and deciduous forests, parks. Spring.

Fruiting bodies large. Cap 8-12 cm across, of irregular shape, surface wrinkled, yellowish-brown, yellowish-ochre or yellowish-brown, the margins free or fused with the stem. Stem 3–8x4–8 cm, hollow, wrinkled, finely granular, whitish, pale yellowish, yellowish-brown. Flesh yellowish, fragile, with a pleasant smell and taste. Characteristic features: fruiting bodies massive, cap more yellow, stem thick. Grows on the ground and on decayed wood. Poisonous when fresh, like the false morel. Not rare. Most often these two Gyromitra species are confused and not distinguished.