Morchella

Notes

Morels. In New Zealand these fungi have been found only in human habitats and are assumed to all be introduced. Saprobic (or possibly mycorrhizal) on soil. Spring fruiting, these fungi often appear at the same site year after year.
Four species have been reported from New Zealand; however they have not been investigated for the region taxonomically.
Edible and choice, but can be confused with the macroscopically similar Gyromitra, which is highly poisonous. Gyromtira occurs in New Zealand in native forests and in pine plantations, whereas Morchella has been found only in urban areas.

 

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NZFungi Entry

Morchella esculenta

Morchella spp. similar to this are found in scattered locations around Auckland city. They tend to reappear in the same site consistently year after year.