Gyromitra gigas

Gyromitra gigas, commonly known as the snow morel, snow false morel, calf brain, or bull nose, is a fungus and a member of the Ascomycota. G. gigas is found in Europe, western North America where it is common in mountainous areas in coniferous forests, and eastern North America where it is found with both conifers and hardwoods. It is referred to as one of the false morels, due to its similar appearance and occurrence in the spring and early summer in similar habitats to true morels (Morchella ssp.). It is edible if properly prepared but should be avoided due to variability and similarity to other more toxic species of Gyromitra.

Taxonomy

The species was first described scientifically by Julius Vincenz von Krombholz as Helvella gigas.

This scientific names G. montana and G. korfii have been made synonymous with G. gigas based on an analysis of spore morphology.

See also

References

External links