Morchella elata

Morchella elata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Subdivision:	Pezizomycotina
Class:	Pezizomycetes
Order:	Pezizales
Family:	Morchellaceae
Genus:	Morchella
Species:	M. elata
Binomial name
Morchella elata Fr. (1822)

Morchella elata is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae. It is one of three related species commonly known as the black morel, the others being M. eangusticeps and M. conica. The fruiting bodies of M. elata are known to be consumed by grizzly bears (species Ursus arctos horribilis) in Yellowstone National Park.^[1]

Description

Fruiting bodies are hollow, and usually 5 to 10 cm tall, with an ovoid or conical head. The stipe (often swollen at the base) is 4 to 10 cm tall by 1.5 to 5 cm thick.^[2] M. elata is characterized by the production of brown or reddish-purple, elongated, cylindrical, slightly pointed globular, longitudinal pits. M. elata may be distinguished from the other black morels by smooth, white stalks in younger specimens, by steel-gray colors in the ridges and pits of the pileus, and by the production of spores larger than those of M. angusticeps.^[3] The spore deposit is cream-colored. This is an edible species, although like other morels, some individuals may be allergic.

M. elata asci viewed with phase contrast microscopy.

Morchella elata grows in small groups on soil in forests. It is most well-known in North America and Europe. The variety M. elata var. purpurescens, known only from Scotland, has a purple-colored fruiting body.^[4]

Microscopic features

The spores of this species are typically colorless, smooth, ellipsoid in shape, and 20—28 by 12—15 eµm.^[2] Like other species in the genus Morchella, M. elata has operculate asci (i.e., having an ascus opening by an apical lid to discharge spores), and unicellular hyaline ascospores with polar oil droplets.^[5]

References

1. ^ Mattson DJ, Podruzny SR, Haroldson MA. (2002). "Consumption of fungal sporocarps by Yellowstone grizzly bears". Ursus 13: 95–103.
2. ^ ^{a b} Foy, Nicky; Phillips, Roger; Kibby, Geoffrey (1991). Mushrooms of North America. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-70613-2. 
3. ^ Weber, James A.; Weber, Nancy S. (1995). A Morel Hunter's Companion: A Guide to the True and False Morels. Thunder Bay Press (MI). ISBN 1-882376-16-1. 
4. ^ Phillips R. "Morchella elata". Rogers Mushrooms. http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/gallery/DisplayBlock~bid~6467.asp. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
5. ^ Parguey-Leduc A, Janex-Favre M-C, Bruxelles G. (1998). Comparative study of the asci and ascospores of some Morels (Genus Morchella, Ascomycetes). Cryptogamie Bryologie Lichenologie 19(2–3): 277–292.

External links

• California Fungi
• Roger's Mushrooms