The sclerotium (see reproduction) is a hard mass found underground that protects the Morchella semilibera mycelium when the conditions are not right for the morel to grow. This adaptation allows for the survival of the fungi during droughts, cold weather and other disasters such as fires. After these tough times have ceased, morels are then able to continue on with their life cycle in order to reproduce. Once the morels fruiting body above ground, it releases spores in which to be germinated. The main part of the morel which has adapted to allow it to gain nutrients is the primary and secondary mycelium. The mycelium feeds off nutrients from the roots of the trees it is around which will be further explained in nutrients.

The cap morel (Morchella semilibera, syn.: Morchella gigas), also called bell morel or half-free morel, is a species of tubular fungus in the morel genus (Morchella). It is part of a small species aggregate of pointed morels (Morchella sect. Distantes subsect. Papyraceae) with a half-free cap (at least one-third of the cap extends beyond the growing point of the stem).

A native and widespread in the northern hemisphere delicacy mushroom. In nature, Morchella semilibera is found in the first warm weeks of spring, no morel hunter reveals its locations. The mushroom is in high demand among gourmets, which is reflected in the price. After truffles, real morels are considered the most expensive mushrooms of all.

Various simple and more complicated methods are used experimentally around the world. The cultivation of edible Morchella semilibera is considered difficult, but not impossible. A deeper study of the subject is necessary to achieve success. I refer explicitly to Paul Stamets and Tradd Cotter, both of whom can attest to their breeding successes.

The latest scientific findings indicate that a certain soil bacterium must be present for fruiting.

As long as the morel was able to germinate, there will always be some form of the morel’s mycelium underground. Their mycelium is protected by the sclerotium until the conditions are right . Once the ground is damp enough and the weather warm enough for morels to prosper (which tends to be anywhere from April to July depending on the location), Morels start “popping”. Now in these areas where the morels grow, other fungi such as the False morel prosper as well.

Morchella semilibera are heterotrophic which means they are “other feeding” and must feed on preformed organic material. It does this by first building a mutualistic relationship with a host such as an ash or elm tree. To form this relationship, the morel’s mycorrhizae (which means fungus root) and creates an ectomycorrhizae sheath around the tree’s root. This sheath has hyphae emanating throughout the soil which increases the surface area. Once the sheath is made, the fungus is able to penetrate between the cells of of the cortex to allow for nutrients to be exchanged. In order for the morel to have nutrients, it must digest then ingest the area it is around. This is made possible by exoenzymes which help rapidly digest the material in order to take the nutrients out of it. The reason this allows for a mutualistic relationship is because both the tree and the fungi gain nutrients from this process.

Courtesy of Tom VolkMorels are non-vascular which means they have no specialized tissues to transport the nutrients they ingest. To move the nutrients throughout the organisms, the hypae contain internal crosswalls called septa. These septa have pores which allow cytoplasm to flow from one cell to the next. This movement allows materials to be transported within the cytoplasm of the cells. When times are “good” and the morel can store food, it stores it as glycogen like many other animals.

1. Dissolve the malt extract and agar in distilled water.
2.  Sterilize the solution by autoclaving at 121°C for 15-20 minutes.
3. Pour the sterilized media into petri dishes or other containers under sterile conditions.
4. The Yeast is optional, but you can add it to any recipe for nutritions, same for Peptone.

Rye Berries, grain mix

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Often together under pointed morels.

Accompanied By: Primroses, Snowdrops, Lily Of The Valley, Wild Garlic (Allium Ursinum), Wild Anemones, Ash Trees, Young Wild Strawberries, Butterbur, Many Snails (Because Of The Shell - Indicator Calcareous Soil).

The cap morel has a Eurasian distribution. Its distribution area extends in the southwest from Spain (Andalusia) throughout Europe, Asia Minor to India.

The cap morel has a very wide ecological potency. It grows in moist, humus-rich meadows, gardens, parks, forests, and along streams. The fruiting bodies appear in Central Europe from April to May.

Morels can be found all over the Northern Hemisphere. Mainly being in North America, Central America, Europe and Asia. The morels found in these parts of the world are currently either part of the black morel or yellow morel clades which was further studied and revised in Revision of Morchella Taxonmy .

Morchella semilibera are most commonly found in forested areas around dead elm trees, Sycamore, apple trees, under wood scraps and Ash trees, but can also be found in other areas. They often tend to grow under objects on the ground as well because of the dampness under them (In Identification you will learn more about where to find morels in the wild).

Mixed forest, alluvial forest, likes aspen or also often found in bark mulch, calcareous soil, clay soil, never fertilized soil, high humidity, e.g. from streams, bark mulch, in freshly dug soil, in burned areas, woody debris.

Spring fungus: February to June, in colder regions not before early April

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Morels are a classic sauce mushroom, which develops its aroma best in a cream sauce.

Eaten raw, Morchella semilibera are highly toxic, there have already been deaths. In addition, the consumption of the mushroom can cause the so-called Morchella syndrome in some people.