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Glite Dictionary
California false morel

California false morel

9.9
A brown mushroom that looks like a morel and grows under pines in California and can be poisonous
  • noun
  • US
translation icon : falsa morel de California
  • The California false morel is often found growing beneath pines after spring rains.

Examples

  • Hikers are warned against consuming the California false morel, as it can be toxic.

  • I found a California false morel in the forest.

  • Researchers studied the ecology of the California false morel in its native habitat.

  • The California false morel has a unique appearance.

  • Hikers are warned against consuming the California false morel, as it can be toxic.

  • The California false morel is often found growing beneath pines after spring rains.

  • Researchers studied the ecology of the California false morel in its native habitat.

Synonyms

Gyromitra californica
vsCalifornia false morel
  • Specialized
9.9

A brown wild mushroom with a wrinkled cap and thick stalk that can be poisonous if eaten

is the common English name used in everyday contexts

Surface Forms

California false morel singular
California false morels plural

Morphology

California + false + morel

The meaning is directly compositional: 'false' (not genuine) + 'morel' (a type of mushroom) denotes a mushroom that resembles but is not a true morel, and 'California' simply specifies location. The 'false X' pattern is a common, cross-linguistic way to mark look-alikes, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

California false morel gets its name because the mushroom looks like a real morel but is a false one. Because it can be poisonous, the name reminds people that it is 'not a true morel' and not safe to eat.