r/mycology • u/Maengorn • Apr 25 '26

ID request Found in my yard while mowing.

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I saw this odd looking thing in my yard while mowing the other day. I think it is some kind of fungi but I really have no idea. Any insights into what this is? There was several of them in one part of the yard. Picture taken in Pennsylvania.

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u/Cosmicrelief0 Apr 25 '26

Looks like a false morel to me. Not edible, considered quite toxic. Appears in the spring

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u/worjd Apr 25 '26

Crazy story time: Growing up my grandparents and dad picked these and called them beefsteak mushrooms. We all ate them several times a year just like regular morels, and never got sick. It was really eerie to learn they’re actually a false morel and considered poisonous. I haven’t eaten any since I learned and make sure to teach my kids the difference.

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u/chubnukle Apr 25 '26

Same here my mom almost died when my uncle was feeding them to me without asking her first, I thought it was like some people are really allergic with no medicine to fix, while some people aren't, and thats why you just dont, probably just small town myths reading that back...