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Encyclopedia > False morel
Wikipedia:How to read a taxobox
How to read a taxobox
False Morel

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycota
Class: Ascomycetes
Order: Pezizales
Family: Helvellaceae
Genus: Gyromitra
Species: G. esculenta
Binomial name
Gyromitra esculenta
(Pers. ex Pers.) Fr.
Gyromitra esculenta
mycological characteristics:
i
 
smooth hymenium
 

cap is convex Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The False morels, belonging to the genus Gyromitra, range from the small and delicate Gyromitra infula to the large (and heavy!) Gyromitra. ... A False morel (cropped from [1]) File links The following pages link to this file: False morel Categories: U.S. Army images ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Divisions Chytridiomycota Zygomycota Glomeromycota Ascomycota Basidiomycota Deuteromycota Fungi (singular fungus) are a kingdom of eukaryotic organisms. ... Subphyla/Classes Archaeascomycetes Euascomycetes Hemiascomycetes or Pezizomycotina Laboulbeniomycetes Eurotiomycetes Lecanoromycetes Leotiomycetes Pezizomycetes Sordariomycetes Dothideomycetes (and many more) Saccharomycotina Saccharomycetes Taphrinomycotina Neolectomycetes Pneumocystidomycetes Schizosaccharomycetes Taphrinomycetes The Ascomycota, formerly known as the Ascomycetae, or Ascomycetes, are a Division of Fungi, whose members are commonly known as the Sac Fungi, which produce spores... Classes Archaeascomycetes Hemiascomycetes Euascomycetes Neolectomycetes Pezizomycotina Pneumocystidomycetes Saccharomycotina Schizosaccharomycetes Taphrinomycetes mitosporic Ascomycota Members of the Division Ascomycota are known as the Sac Fungi and are fungi that produce spores in a distinctive type of microscopic sporangium called an ascus (Greek for a bag or wineskin). This monophyletic grouping was formerly... Families Ascobolaceae Helvellaceae Morchellaceae Otidiaceae Pezizaceae Pyronemataceae Sarcoscyphaceae Thelebolaceae Tuberaceae Pezizales is a class of the subphylum Pezizomycotina within the phylum Ascomycota. ... The False morels, belonging to the genus Gyromitra, range from the small and delicate Gyromitra infula to the large (and heavy!) Gyromitra. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... Christian Hendrik Persoon (February 1, 1761 - November 16, 1836) was a mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus mushroom taxonomy. ... Christian Hendrik Persoon (February 1, 1761 - November 16, 1836) was a mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus mushroom taxonomy. ... Drawn image of Elias Magnus Fries Elias Magnus Fries (August 15, 1794 – February 8, 1878) was a Swedish botanist born at Femsjö in Smalandia. ... Image File history File links Smooth_icon. ... Classes Homobasidiomycetes - mushrooms Heterobasidiomycetes - jelly fungi The Subdivision Hymenomycotina (Hymenomycetes) is one of three taxa of the fungal Division Basidiomycota (fungi bearing spores on basidia). ... Image File history File links Convex_cap_icon. ... The cap of a fungal fruiting body. ...

 

hymenium attachment is not applicable Image File history File links NA_gills_icon. ... Classes Homobasidiomycetes - mushrooms Heterobasidiomycetes - jelly fungi The Subdivision Hymenomycotina (Hymenomycetes) is one of three taxa of the fungal Division Basidiomycota (fungi bearing spores on basidia). ...

 

stipe is bare Image File history File links Bare_stipe_icon. ... Diagram of a basidiomycete stipe with a annulus and vulva In mycology a stipe refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. ...

 
 

spore print is yellow or buff Image File history File links Yellow_spore_print_icon. ... Image File history File links Buff_spore_print_icon. ... Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: (photo lower half) mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; (photo upper half) cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print. ... Making a spore print of the mushroom Volvariella volvacea shown in composite: (photo lower half) mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; (photo upper half) cap removed after 24 hours showing pinkish-tan spore print. ...

 
 

ecology is saprophytic or mycorrhizal Image File history File links Saprophytic_ecology_icon. ... Image File history File links Mycorrhizal_ecology_icon. ... A saprotroph (or saprobe) is an organism that obtains its nutrients from non-living organic matter, usually dead and decaying plant or animal matter, by absorbing soluble organic compounds. ... A mycorrhiza (typically seen in the plural form mycorrhizae meaning fungus roots) is a distinct type of root symbiosis in which individual hyphae extending from the mycelium of a fungus colonize the roots of a host plant. ...

 
 

edibility: choice or deadly Image File history File links Choice_toxicity_icon. ... Image File history File links Hazard_T.svg Summary Description: The hazard symbol for toxic/highly toxic substances according to directive 67/548/EWG by the European Chemicals Bureau. ... White mushrooms being prepared for cooking. ... These emerging mushrooms are too immature to safely identify as edible or toxic. ...

The False morel (Gyromitra esculenta), also known a variety of common names such as Lorchel, Brain fungus, Red mushroom or Beefsteak mushroom, is a poisonous ascomycete fungus somewhat similar in appearance to the "true" morel (Morchella sp.). While false morels are deadly poisonous when raw, in some parts of the world they are considered edible (and delicious) if properly parboiled. Classes Archaeascomycetes Hemiascomycetes Euascomycetes Neolectomycetes Pezizomycotina Pneumocystidomycetes Saccharomycotina Schizosaccharomycetes Taphrinomycetes mitosporic Ascomycota Members of the Division Ascomycota are known as the Sac Fungi and are fungi that produce spores in a distinctive type of microscopic sporangium called an ascus (Greek for a bag or wineskin). This monophyletic grouping was formerly... Species Morchella angusticeps Morchella conica Morchella costata Morchella crassipes Morchella elata Morchella esculenta Morchella gigas Morchella semilibera Morchella spongiola Morchella spongiola var. ... Parboil is an action which refers to partially boiling food in water before finishing cooking it by another method. ...


Aficionados of false morels describe them as one of the choicest of all culinary mushrooms. They are popular in Finland and Scandinavia, where they are sold commercially, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America. In Finland false morels may even be sold fresh, but must always be accompanied by conspicuous warning signs as well as instructions on how to prepare them correctly. While the false morel has sometimes been described as "the fugu of the Finnish kitchen", there is no statistical evidence that eating them would be particularly dangerous: even though the mushrooms are widely consumed in Finland, between 1885 and 1988 only four cases of fatal gyromitrin poisoning have been recorded — all of them caused by eating the mushrooms raw. On the other hand, the Finnish authorities suggest strongly not to eat false morels daily, since the gyromitrin remains may accumulate in the body. Scandinavia is a historical and geographical region centered on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. ... The Great Lakes states are colored red in this map. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Species See species table below Fuku redirects here. ...

Contents

Description

While false morels somewhat resemble True morels, in that both are brown and wrinkly, the two are quite easily distinguished with some practice. False morels are irregularly shaped, resembling a brown brain, while the true morel is more symmetric and looks more like a pitted gray, tan, or brown sponge. False morels (G. esculenta) are also generally darker than true morels. False morels also generally have solid stems, whereas true morels are hollow. For more specific information about the human brain, see its main article at human brain A sketch of the human brain by artist Priyan Weerappuli, imposed upon his sketch of the profile of Michaelangelos David In animals, the brain, or encephalon (Greek for in the head), is the control... Classes Calcarea Hexactinellida Demospongiae The sponges or poriferans (from the Greek poros pore and ferro to bear) are animals of the phylum Porifera. ... A stem is the main axis of a vascular plant that is divided into nodes and internodes and has one or more leaves or buds at the nodes. ...


Classification

The name False morel is also applied to other species of the genus Gyromitra, such as G. infula (elfin saddle), G. caroliniana and G. gigas (Snow morel). While some of these species contain little or no gyromitrin, many sources recommend treating them all as poisonous, since their similar appearance and significant intraspecific variation can make reliable identification difficult. The name is also sometimes used for mushrooms of the genus Verpa, such as V. bohemica and V. conica, also known as early morels or thimble morels. Binomial name Gyromitra gigas (Krombh. ...


Distribution and habitat

Gyromitra esculenta grows on sandy woodlands, both on coniferous and deciduous, preferring the former. It is an early mushroom, and hunting period is from April to July. The mushroom usually grows only on places, where the surface of the ground has been broken, such as openings, rivulets, washes, timber clearings, plowed openings, forest fire clearings, roadsides etc. The growth can be promoted by breaking the terrain further in places where false morel is known to grow. False morels are not suggested to inexperienced fungophiles, though, since they require special treatment to become edible.


Toxicity

False morels contain gyromitrin, a volatile water-soluble hydrazine compound that decomposes in the body into methyl hydrazine. It acts as a hemolytic toxin as well as damaging the liver and the central nervous system. Due to its volatility, even the mere presence of fresh false morels in a poorly ventilated space may cause gyromitrin poisoning symptoms such as headache, dizziness and nausea. Consuming raw or incorrectly prepared false morels can result in catastrophic liver failure and death. Gyromitrin is a chemical present in most members of the False Morel genus of mushrooms. ... Look up volatile in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Solubility refers to the ability for a given substance, the solute, to dissolve in a solvent. ... Hydrazine is the chemical compound with formula N2H4. ... Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) is a volatile hydrazine with the chemical formula CH3N2H3. ... Hemolysis (alternative spelling haemolysis) is the excessive breakdown of red blood cells. ... The liver is an organ in some animals, including vertebrates (and therefore humans). ... A diagram showing the CNS: 1. ... A headache is a condition of pain in the head; sometimes neck or upper back pain may also be interpreted as a headache. ... // Pre-syncope is a sensation of feeling faint. ... For other uses, see Nausea (disambiguation). ... Liver failure is the final stage of liver disease. ...


Geographical variation

The edibility of the false morels is disputed. Some varieties of false morels are consumed, but all false morels are positively known to contain various amounts of gyromitrin. In some countries, like the eastern Pyrenees, they are traditionally considered a delicacy, and people reported they have been consuming them for years without any ill effects. However, it is a very rare mushroom there, so you cannot likely consume them more that once a year. It is positively known [verification needed] that all false morels have some amounts of gyromitrin, that gyromitrin is a cumulative poison, and that the amount of gyromitrin is significantly reduced by parboiling. [verification needed] However, it is not known how the initial amount of gyromitrin depends on the concrete species, and it is known that it depends widely on the terrain and other environmental factors. This means that even if you know for sure that some people in some region, consume some varieties of false morels without problems, consuming a false morel found elsewhere is still like Russian roulette, even if you follow the recommended procedure. This is why all false morels are listed as toxic and inedible in the mushroom lists published by the Catalan Government, even though some people do consume some of them.


Furthermore, it may be possible American false morels contain more toxin than the Scandinavian specimens. The Finnish authorities suggest to pick false morels on separate basket or bag, which is to be washed immediately after use. If you do your mushroom hunting by car, false morels should be stored in trunk, since they can emit gyromitrin in the cabin and cause poisoning symptoms to the driver.


Preparation

To render false morels edible most of the gyromitrin must be removed. The recommended procedure involves cutting the mushrooms into small pieces and boiling them twice in copious water (at least 3 parts water to one part chopped mushrooms) for at least five minutes. The gyromitrin will dissolve in the water, which must be discarded after each boiling. Some of the gyromitrin will also evaporate, producing toxic fumes. This process is called parboiling, and it is to be done with good ventilation. If boiling the mushrooms indoors, one should therefore take care to ensure adequate ventilation, and, if symptoms of gyromitrin poisoning appear, immediately seek fresh air. As unit operation in chemical engineering the parboiling equals leaching; the gyromitrin is leached off the mushrooms. As the rule of thumb each round of parboiling reduces the gyromitrin contents to a tenth. Parboil is an action which refers to partially boiling food in water before finishing cooking it by another method. ... Ore Extraction unit operations at Quincy Mine, Hancock, MI ca. ... Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the application of physical science, e. ... Leaching is the process of extracting a substance from a solid by dissolving it in a liquid. ...


Each parboiling round must be done on different batches of water. Since the gyromitrin is leached into the water, it will remain there. Therefore the used water must always be discarded and replaced with fresh.


Even after boiling, small amounts of gyromitrin remain in the mushrooms. While these small quantities will not cause noticeable symptoms to most people, some people may be hypersensitive to the toxin, and can become seriously ill from eating even properly prepared false morels. Gyromitrin sensitivity is apparently not a hereditary matter, further confusing the question of toxicity. Some sources claim false morel toxicity to be purely a matter of luck and/or individual variation, but these often fail to make a distinction between raw and prepared mushrooms, or cite incorrect methods of preparation. Hypersensitivity is an immune response that damages the bodys own tissues. ...


According to Finnish law, selling and purchasing fresh false morels is legal, but the mushrooms must always be accompanied with approved preparation guide.[1] Since false morel is a popular ingredient in Finnish cuisine, all schoolchildren in Finnish comprehensive schools are taught to recognize and prepare false morels in home economy classes. False morels are also sold prepared and canned, in which case they are ready to be used.


Carcinogenicity

There is also evidence that even small amounts of gyromitrin may have a cumulative carcinogenic effect. Thus it may not be advisable to consume even properly treated false morels too frequently, and many sources advise completely against consuming false morels at all. In pathology, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer. ...


External links

References

  1. ^ Ruokasieniasetus 11.12.1981/871 (in Finnish)

  Results from FactBites:
 
False morel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (1146 words)
The False morel (Gyromitra esculenta), also known a variety of common names such as Lorchel, Brain fungus, Red mushroom or Beefsteak mushroom, is a poisonous ascomycete fungus somewhat similar in appearance to the "true" morel (Morchella sp.).
False morels are irregularly shaped, resembling a brown brain, while the true morel is more symmetric and looks more like a pitted gray, tan, or brown sponge.
The edibility of the false morels is disputed.
The Great Morel - False Morels (1203 words)
Research also points out there are various species of false morels that grow around the world, and while some may not be as toxic as others, it is wise to understand this and to do your own research wisely.
False morels are not hollow, which is the most definite tip that you have stumbled up one of these ugly bad boys.
The false morel shown in this image is also quite heavy as it is almost solid in the stem and meaty, and often referred to as "cottony".
  More results at FactBites »


 
 

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