Conical cap (Verpa conica)
Systematics:- Department: Ascomycota (Ascomycetes)
- Subdivision: Pezizomycotina (Pesizomycotins)
- Class: Pezizomycetes (Pecicomycetes)
- Subclass: Pezizomycetidae (Pecicomycetes)
- Order: Pezizales
- Family: Morchellaceae (Morels)
- Genus: Verpa (Verpa or Hat)
- Type: Verpa conica (Conical cap)
Synonyms:
- Multiple cap
- Verpa conical
The conical cap ( lat.Verpa conica ) is a type of mushroom from the morel family. This species is a false morel, has a similar cap with morels.
External description
A small finger-like mushroom with a conical thimble. Thin-fleshy, fragile fruiting bodies 3-7 cm high.Longitudinally wrinkled or smooth cap with a diameter of 2-4 cm, brown or olive-brown, adhered to a smooth, whitish, hollow stem 5-12 mm thick and 4-8 cm high Elliptical, smooth, colorless spores 20-25 x 11-13 µm. The color of the cap varies from olive to dark brown.
Edibility
Edible but of mediocre quality.
Habitat
It grows on calcareous soil, near hedges, among bushes.
Season
Late spring.
Similar species
Sometimes confused with morels (Morchella).