Morchella esculenta (commonly known as common morel, morel, yellow morel, true morel, morel mushroom, and sponge morel) is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota. It is one of the most readily recognized of all the edible mushrooms and highly sought after.

Morchella esculenta is the most widely distributed morel in the world. It can be distinguished by its medium to large size, egg-shaped cap, the random orientation of its pits and ridges.

Morel (Morchella esculenta) Highly prized and easily recognised, the morel is a favourite edible mushroom. It has a strong, nutty flavour and a pleasant, earthy smell and grows in a variety of habitats, including well-drained woodland. But beware, it is poisonous when raw. Morels are uncommon in the UK and are highly sought after.

Morchella esculenta, the Morel, fruits from March to June and is a very popular edible fungus, although not common in Britain and Ireland. The flesh is rarely ruined by insects or other small creatures, but stems can be pierced by bugs that find the cavity within the cap and stem a handy hideout.