Common Morel Look-Alikes

Mushroom identification can be tough, which is why it is always good to consult more than one field guide and forage with experts until you are confortable identifying mushrooms yourself. Check out our articles on some popular field guides below:
  •  Top 5 Washington State Mushroom Books
  •  Top 5 Pacific Northwest Mushroom Books

Understanding the differences between the mushroom you are searching for and their common look-alikes, is one of the most important things you need to learn before going on your search. In this article, we'll go over three common Morel Look-Alikes and some of the ways you can spot them.

As we always say, DO NOT CONSUME ANY MUSHROOMS UNLESS YOU ARE OKAY WITH THE RISKS OF MISIDENTIFICATION!! You can have just as much fun searching for and just taking pictures of mushrooms as you can foraging for them, it is up to you to decide what you are comfortable with.

Morel's: The Real Deal

Morels are my favorite wild foraged mushroom. I don't eat meat, but I do miss that meaty flavor occasionally and I have found to better replacement than morels. It's no wonder that they're one of the most popular wild foraged mushrooms!

The cap of a morel has a cap with a honeycomb pattern on it that is shaped like a cone. Depending on the variety and age of the mushroom the cap can be tan, brown or black. An important distinction between true morels and some of the look-alikes is that the cap should always be attached to the base, not free like most mushrooms. Finally, Morels are always hollow.

In summary, here are some hints you may have found a Morel:
  •  Tan, brown or black in color
  •  Honeycomb cap
  •  Cap attached to base, not free
  •  Stem is hollow

Remember, if you're not sure, just leave the mushroom be, take a picture and share it with some experts. You can always come back for them another day.

Look-Alike #1: Gyromitra Esculenta

Image source: Giftlorchel.jpg: Lebracderivative work: Ak ccm / CC BY-SA

Personally I don't think Gyomitra's look very similar to Morels, but since they grow during the same season and in the same habitat they are considered a look-alike by most. The two big differences with this one is that this mushroom is not hollow and it has wrinkles instead of a honeycomb shape for the cap. They are also a little wider than they are tall making the thick and chunky.

In summary, here are the traits of Gyromitra Esculenta:
  •  Not hollow, complex folded structure inside
  •  Wrinkles on the cap instead of honeycomb
  •  Thick and chunky instead of tall and thin

Look-Alike #2: Verpa Conica

Image source: GLJIVARSKO DRUSTVO / CC BY

This one and other Verpa species are usually debated on whether or not they are edible, from the guides I have read, it seems like they should be avoided. Conicas can be identified by their 'free cap' meaning that it is not attached to the base like a true morel, for this reason it is also called a 'thimble morel'. Conicas cap has subtle ridges instead of a honeycomb cap and it usually has a taller stalk than normal morels.

In summary, here are the traits of Verpa Conica:
  •  Free cap, detached from base
  •  Subtle ridges instead of honeycomb cap
  •  Typically has a taller stem

Look-Alike #3: Verpa Bohemica

Image source: Jeantosti at fr.wikipedia / CC BY-SA

Another member of the verpa family, I think this is the most similar look-alike on this list. As discussed earlier, there is some debate on the edibility of this mushroom but remember, when in doubt, it's not worth poisoning yourself over a snack. The biggest giveaway for this mushroom is that it is not hollow:

Image source: Jason Hollinger / CC BY-SA

Instead, this mushroom is filled with a cottony substance. To help you identify this look-alike before picking, two other traits is that like V. Conica, the cap is free like a thimble and while the cap looks very similar to a honeycomb, it is still more wrinkly than it is true honeycomb-shaped.

In summary, here are the traits of Verpa Bohemica:
  •  Cottony substance on the inside
  •  Free cap (like a thimble)
  •  Wrinkles on the cap instead of honeycomb

Conclusion

Remeber, if you're not sure, just take some pictures and leave the mushroom alone, it's not worth poisoning yourself for a snack. There are plenty of mushrooms to go around and there will always be more next year or, when you're in season, even next week! Just be patient, be safe and have fun.