Morchella

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Morchella (order Pezizales) A genus of fungi in which the fruiting body is several centimetres tall and consists of an ovoid head, extensively pitted with broad, shallow depressions (lined with the hymenium), borne on a whitish hollow stalk. M. esculenta (morel) is a highly esteemed edible species, found growing on the ground in sandy soils in woods, on banks, etc.; it is seldom abundant in Britain. M. vulgaris (common morel) is also edible. Compare GYROMITRA.