Order Elvellacea Genus Morchella  

Morchella esculenta Pers.  

Name—esculenta, meat, esculents  

Species Characters. M. esculenta. Pileus ovate, ribs anastomosing forming into deep pits; stem stout, equal hollow. This plant varies in height and breadth, some are conical, forming variety conica, some round forming variety rotunda. The above variety vulgaris, the most common form met with in Maryland. They vary in color, yellowish cinnereus, olivaceous etc. All are edible. The above plants were found in western Maryland, July 1887. Dr. Badham says this fungus should not be gathered after rain, it is insipid and rapidly spoils. It is very fragrant at first but more so when dried. In 1875 this plant was plentiful in one locality in Druid Hill Park. Some epicure found out the spot & it was exterminated in two days, never having appeared there since.