It occurs in gardens, woodchip beds, and other urban settings of northern California and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada.

The fungus has also been reported from Turkey, Spain, France, Switzerland, Canada and China, although it is unknown whether this is a result of accidental introductions.

It was previously identified as phylogenetic species Mel-10 in a 2011 publication,[2] and erroneously as the "Classic North American Black Morel" in 2005, where it was lumped together with Morchella angusticeps, and what has since been described as M. brunnea.

[3][4] The specific epithet importuna, which means "inconsiderate" or "assertive", refers to the morel's habit of causing "consternation and distress among gardeners and homeowners whose territory has been invaded".

The flesh is whitish to watery tan, measuring 1–3 mm thick in the hollow cap; in the stipe, this tissue is sometimes arranged as chambers or layers.

[7] The rare Pacific Northwest morel Morchella hotsonii, known only from its type collection, is quite similar in appearance to M. importuna.

[3] A saprobic fungus, Morchella importuna fruit bodies grow in wood chips, gardens, fire pits, planters, and almost any disturbed ground in urban areas.

[9] Identified as phylogenetic species "Mel-10", Morchella importuna has also been found in Turkey[10] and China, but it remains unclear whether dispersal between these distant locations occurred naturally or through accidental introduction by humans.