A review on research advances, issues, and perspectives of morels

Morels, a group of the world's most prized edible and medicinal mushrooms, are of very important economic and scientific value. Here, we review recent research progress in the genus <i>Morchella</i>, and focus on its taxonomy, species diversity and distribution, ecological diversity, phylogeny and biogeography, artificial cultivation, and genome. We also discuss the potential issues remaining in the current research and suggest some future directions for study.