False Morel

Gyromitra esculenta, the false morel, is a wrinkled, brain-like fungus found in coniferous forests of the Northern Hemisphere that superficially resembles the unrelated true morels. It contains the toxin gyromitrin, which the body converts into a compound that is both acutely poisonous and carcinogenic, and although it is eaten in some countries after specific preparation intended to remove the toxin, this practice has caused numerous poisonings and deaths and is not considered reliably safe.