Morchella esculenta

Common Name: Yellow Morel
Description: Fruit body 5-15 cm tall, a rounded to elongated spongelike structure; the pits of the sponge are very irregular without sign of any vertical arrangement. Ridges are pallid at first, with pits dark smokey brown; as fruit body matures the cap flushes yellow-ochre to orange as a result of the mature spores. Stem 40-80 by 20-50 mm.
Habitat: various, in old abandoned apple orchards, under dying or dead elms, gardens, roadsides, or chalk quarries. Found throughout North America.
Edible: highly prized!

Source: Mushrooms of North America by Roger Phillips.