Gyromitra gigas
Encyclopedia
Gyromitra gigas, commonly known as the snow morel, snow false morel, calf brain, or bull nose, is a fungus
and a member of the Ascomycota
. G. gigas is found in Europe
, western North America
where it is common in mountainous areas in coniferous forests, and eastern North America where it is found with both conifers and hardwood
s. It is referred to as one of the false morel
s, due to its similar appearance and occurrence in the spring and early summer in similar habitats to true morels (Morchella ssp.). It is edible if properly prepared but should be avoided due to variability and similarity to other more toxic species of Gyromitra
.
This scientific names G. montana and G. korfii have been made synonymous with G. gigas based on an analysis of spore
morphology.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
and a member of the Ascomycota
Ascomycota
The Ascomycota are a Division/Phylum of the kingdom Fungi, and subkingdom Dikarya. Its members are commonly known as the Sac fungi. They are the largest phylum of Fungi, with over 64,000 species...
. G. gigas is found in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, western North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
where it is common in mountainous areas in coniferous forests, and eastern North America where it is found with both conifers and hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from angiosperm trees . It may also be used for those trees themselves: these are usually broad-leaved; in temperate and boreal latitudes they are mostly deciduous, but in tropics and subtropics mostly evergreen.Hardwood contrasts with softwood...
s. It is referred to as one of the false morel
False morel
Gyromitra esculenta , one of several species of fungi known as false morels, is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely distributed across Europe and North America. It normally sprouts in sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer...
s, due to its similar appearance and occurrence in the spring and early summer in similar habitats to true morels (Morchella ssp.). It is edible if properly prepared but should be avoided due to variability and similarity to other more toxic species of Gyromitra
Gyromitra
Gyromitra is a genus of ascomycete mushrooms found in the northern hemisphere. The most famous member is the controversial false morel ...
.
This scientific names G. montana and G. korfii have been made synonymous with G. gigas based on an analysis of spore
Ascospore
An ascospore is a spore contained in an ascus or that was produced inside an ascus. This kind of spore is specific to fungi classified as ascomycetes ....
morphology.