Gucchi or Chuunchru ( Morchella Esculenta) in Himachal

Morchella or Gucchi: Is a type of mashroom and usually found in uper range of himalaya in India,China,Afganistan,Tibbet ,Bhutan etc.In Himachal Pradesh it is found in Chamba,Shimla,Manali,uper parts of Kangra i.e almost in a place where snowfall occur at least once in a year.

Morchella is a species of fungus in the Morchellaceae family of the Ascomycota.The cap is pale brownish cream, yellow to tan or pale brown to grayish brown. The edges of the ridges are usually not darker than the pits, and somewhat oval in outline.

This mashroom is considered as a herb and have its proven significance

Like other edible mushrooms they contain the B complex vitamins, vitamin D and essential amino acids, but the morel mushrooms have an uncommon amino acid in them cis-3-amino-l-proline. The polysaccharides they contain have several medical properties including antiviral, immunoregulatory, anti-tumour growth effects and they give you more resistance to fatigue. Extracts from the polysaccharides have antioxidant effects and these morels can help prevent heart disease and colorectal cancer as well as having numerous other benefits. They are rich in theminerals potassium, zinc and iron and contain relatively high proportions of selenium which prevents free radical formations. These mushrooms potentially lower the risks of breast and prostate cancer

In Himachal Pradesh Himalayan Grey Morel (Morchella esculenta), localy called as  ‘Gucchi’ and Chuunchru .Guchhi is undoubtedly the king of wild edible mushrooms. The season is late March till almost April end.
In Himachal Pradeshwild morels can sometimes be found near the bases of old (sometimes even rotting) Oak trees

Gucchi is one the main source of earning for the Gaddis peopls in Himachal Pradesh.However, to collect this herh (Guchhi is not an easy task as it is found in the most tribe areas and difficult to search.Morchella Esculenta or Guchhi can be order as dish in most of five star hotels