Verpa

Verpa is a genus of ascomycete fungi related to the morels. Resembling the latter genus in edibility and form, the common name early morels is popular. There are five species in the widespread genus.^[2]

Verpa
V. conica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Pezizomycetes
Order:	Pezizales
Family:	Morchellaceae
Genus:	Verpa Sw. (1815)
Type species
Verpa conica (O.F.Müll.) Sw. (1815)
Synonyms[1]
Monka Adans. (1763) Relhanum Gray (1821)

Taxonomy

Analysis of the ribosomal DNA of many of the Pezizales showed the genus Verpa to be closely related to the genus Morchella, and also Disciotis. Thus the three genera are now included in the family Morchellaceae.^[3]

Species

Species include:

• Verpa bohemica - early morel.

Edible if well cooked. Found in North America, in early spring, April–May in damp places, under poplar^[4]

• Verpa conica - bell or conic morel.

Edible if well cooked. Found in North America, in orchards, in eastern Canada.

• Verpa digitaliformis
• Verpa krombholzii
• Verpa speciosa

Etymology

Verpa comes from the Latin word for erection