The True Morels, Morchella esculenta, elata and semilibera are not only some of the most delicious wild mushrooms in North America but they are also some of the easiest to safely identify.
Soils are typically sandy, moist and often on hillsides or disturbed areas.
Limestone and shale can often be found nearby too, making deep stream beds and gorges interesting hunting grounds. Beware of mushrooms that do not have true pits or cavities and are smooth, brain-like and shiny. Though many people have eaten some of these mushrooms for years without incident, I believe that to be a very dangerous practice. In older texts Verpa bohemica and V. conica are listed as edible. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps and a loss of muscle coordination.