What is "false morel"

n. Any of several Ascomycota mushrooms in the genus ''Gyromitra'' which bear a resemblance to the highly regarded true morel of the genus ''Morchella''.

n. a fungus of the family Helvellaceae

The name false morel is given to the Verpa which bear a resemblance to the highly regarded true morels of the genus Morchella. Like Morchella, false morels are members of the Pezizales, but within that group represent several unrelated taxa scattered through the families Morchellaceae, Discinaceae, and Helvellaceae.

The edibility of Gyromitra esculenta has been recently brought into question. Gyromitra esculenta—regarded as delicious—is known to be potentially deadly when eaten fresh, but research in the 1990s show that toxins remain even after proper treatment.

While many people eat false morels without apparent harm, some people have developed acute toxicity and recent evidence suggests that there may be long-term health risks as well.