The Conical Morel is very closely related to M. esculenta and M. deliciosa, from which it differs in having the cap longer than it is wide, and more pointed, so that it is conical or oblong-conical. The plant, as a general thing, grows to be larger than the other species. It is, however, pretty hard to distinguish these three species. The Conical Morel is quite abundant about Chillicothe. I have found Morels especially plentiful about the reservoirs in Mercer County, and in Auglaize, Allen, Harden, Hancock, Wood and Henry Counties. I have known lovers of Morels to go on camping tours in the woods about the reservoirs for the purpose of hunting them, and to bring home large quantities of them.
Figure 412.—Morchella esculenta var. conica. Two-thirds natural size.
Morchella angusticeps. Pk.
The Narrow-Cap Morel. Edible.
Figure 413.—Morchella angusticeps.
Angusticeps is from two Latin words: angustus, narrow; caput, head. This species and M. conica are so nearly alike that it is very difficult to identify them with any degree of satisfaction. In both species the cap is considerably longer than broad, but in angusticeps the cap is slimmer and more pointed. The pits, as a general thing are longer than in the other species. They are often found in orchards but are also frequently found in low woods under black ash trees. I have found some typical specimens about the reservoirs. The specimens in Figure 413 were collected in Michigan, and photographed by Prof. B. O. Longyear. They appear very early in the spring, even while we are still having frosts.