False morel
Gyromitra esculenta
Safety assessment
Deadly poisonous
Based on reviewed safety sources.
A red-brown, brain-like cap appearing in spring in pine woodland. Contains gyromitrin — even a small amount can be fatal, especially raw.
Identification
- Cap brain-like and wavy, not honeycombed like true morels.
- Fruits in spring, often on sandy ground beneath pine.
Lookalikes
These species can be confused
Baltic distribution
- Latvia
- 27
- Lithuania
- 129
- Estonia
- 130
- Global
- 16399
Occurrence records in GBIF — not a claim that the species is absent elsewhere.
Safety first. This information is an educational reference, not a confirmation of an edible mushroom. Identifying fungi is difficult and mistakes can be dangerous. Never eat a mushroom unless you are completely certain of its identity, and consult a certified mycologist.