The ecology of "Morchella" species is not well understood. Many species appear to form symbiotic or endophytic relationships with trees, while others appear to act as saprotrophs. Yellow morels ("Morchella esculenta" and related species) are more commonly found under deciduous trees rather than conifers, while black morels ("Morchella elata" and related species) are mostly found in coniferous forests, disturbed ground and recently burned areas. "Morchella galilaea", and occasionally "Morchella rufobrunnea", appear to fruit in the autumn or winter months rather than spring, which is the typical fruiting season for morels.