Steppe Morel (Morchella steppicola)
Systematics:- Department: Ascomycota (Ascomycetes)
- Subdivision: Pezizomycotina (Pesizomycotins)
- Class: Pezizomycetes (Pecicomycetes)
- Subclass: Pezizomycetidae (Pecicomycetes)
- Order: Pezizales
- Family: Morchellaceae (Morels)
- Genus: Morchella (Morel)
- Species: Morchella steppicola (Steppe Morel)
The cap of the steppe morel is spherical, grayish-brown in color, 2-10 (15) in diameter and 2-10 (15) cm in height, round or ovoid, adherent to the edge, hollow inside or sometimes divided into sections. It forms on a very short, white, dense stalk.
Stem : 1-2 cm, very short, sometimes absent, white, creamy, with rare voids inside.
The fruit body of the steppe morel reaches a height of 25 cm, and its weight is 2 kg.
The pulp is light, whitish, rather elastic. Spore powder is light gray or white.
Spore powder is light brown.
Steppe morel is found in the European part of Russia and Central Asia in the wormwood steppes. Fruiting in April - June. It is recommended to cut with a knife so as not to damage the mycelium.
Distribution : Steppe morel grows from late March to late April in dry, mostly wormwood steppes.
Edible: delicious edible mushroom
Video about the Morel Steppe mushroom: