Gyromitra gigas (Krombh.) Quél. Snowbank False Morel. Cap 4-15cm across and high, brain-like, round to ellipsoid, with an irregularly lobed margin that is sometimes fused to the stalk; yellow-brown to tan, more reddish brown in age; deeply convoluted and wrinkled, interior chambered; undersurface whitish. Stem 5-10cm long and wide; thick and short; interior multi-channeled or folded in cross-section; surface whitish; ribbed, wrinkled, or grooved. Flesh brittle. Spores ellipsoid, smooth or finely warted, 24-36 x 10-15µ. Habitat singly or in groups on soil or humus under conifers around melting snowbanks. Often common. Found in mountainous forest areas from the Rocky Mountains westward to the Pacific and in Europe. Season May-June. Not edible-contains toxis hydrazines. |