Morel

Honeycombed and hollow, the first sign of spring in the woods.

Know it

Morels are honeycombed with deep pits and, crucially, are hollow from cap to stem. A true morel, cut lengthwise, is a single empty chamber. That one cut tells you almost everything.

Where & when

host      ash, elm, apple, burnt ground
season    early spring (after frost)
range     temperate, worldwide
spore     cream

The one rule

If it isn't hollow, it isn't a morel — it's a false morel, and it can make you sick. When in doubt, cut it in half. The hollow test never lies.