''Morchella vulgaris'' is a widespread

fungus A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from t ...

of the family

Morchellaceae The Morchellaceae are a family of ascomycete fungi in the order Pezizales. According to a standard reference work, the family has contained at least 49 species distributed among four genera. However, in 2012, five genera that produce ascoma ...

( Ascomycota). It was originally described in 1801 as a

form Form is the shape, visual appearance, or configuration of an object. In a wider sense, the form is the way something happens. Form also refers to: *Form (document), a document (printed or electronic) with spaces in which to write or enter data ...

of the common yellow morel ('' Morchella esculenta'') by mycologist Christiaan Hendrik Persoon, but was later recombined as a distinct

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

by Samuel Gray. Owing to its high morphological plasticity, its taxonomical status had long been in flux, sometimes treated as a

variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

of, or conspecific to '' Morchella esculenta'',Dennis RWG. (1978). Bristish Ascomycètes. Ed. Cramer, Vaduz. p. 585. while at the same time several forms and varieties of ''M. vulgaris'' itself have been described. An extensive

phylogenetic In biology, phylogenetics (; from Greek φυλή/ φῦλον [] "tribe, clan, race", and wikt:γενετικός, γενετικός [] "origin, source, birth") is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among or within groups o ...

and

nomenclatural Nomenclature (, ) is a system of names or terms, or the rules for forming these terms in a particular field of arts or sciences. The principles of naming vary from the relatively informal conventions of everyday speech to the internationally ag ...

study by Richard and colleagues in 2014, confirmed the status of ''Morchella vulgaris'' as a distinct species, and resolved several of its synonymities. This species is characterised by the predominantly grey colours of its

cap A cap is a flat headgear, usually with a visor. Caps have crowns that fit very close to the head. They made their first appearance as early as 3200 BC. Caps typically have a visor, or no brim at all. They are popular in casual and informal se ...

and "blistered", highly irregular appearance of its ridges and pits. Morchella vulgaris

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q3323825 Fungi described in 1801 Fungi of Europe vulgaris Taxa named by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon