Description: [Plate 68].
Fruit-body: consisting of a subglobose, more or less lobed, wrinkled and convoluted head on a short stem.
Cap: yellow-brown to reddish brown and becoming hollow or chambered.
Stem: flesh-coloured or creamy grey and powdery.
Flesh: yellow-buff, darker in the cap.
Spores: very long, ellipsoid, usually containing two or more yellowish oil drops and 18-22 × 9-12 µm in size; eight contained in an elongate cylindrical ascus.
Habitat & Distribution: This fungus is found in the spring, under conifers, but also on railway embankments, river banks, etc. This fungus is also known as the ‘Lorel’ or ‘Elephant’s ears’.
General Information: Mitromorpha semilibera (Fries) Léville differs from species of Morchella in that the head is for its greater length free from the stalk. It is frequently found in the spring in gardens, tennis courts, etc.
Illustrations: G. esculenta—F 6d; Hvass 327; LH 39.