Morel mushrooms can be quite expensive to purchase, often running $10 to $20 an ounce. But these tasty morsels might be as close as your local woodlot or fence row.
What Does a Morel Mushoom Look Like?
There a two types of morel mushrooms. In the early spring mushroom season the black type of morel appears, and in the later part of spring the white type of morel can be found. Both types look similar to each other. The white type of morel is often bigger than the black morel mushroom.
Eating the wrong species of mushroom can make a person sick, so it is best to thorougly study a mycology field guide devoted to picking morels, or go mushroom hunting with an experienced morel picker. Morel mushrooms look very distinct from other mushroom species, so there is little chance of picking poisonous look-alikes.
When to Find Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are found in early spring. In eastern North America morel mushroom season begins sometime in February or March. Finding mushrooms is heavily dependent on the weather. Morels usually pop up after a good month or so of spring rains followed by warm temperatures.
As spring progresses towards summer so does the morel mushroom season. The earliest morel mushrooms are found in the south of their range. In mountainous areas, such as the Pacific Northwest, morels can be found in more elevated areas further into the spring season. Morel mushrooms are found as late as July in northern areas of Canada.
Where to Find Morel Mushrooms
Black Morels Morschella angusticeps occur in a wide variety of habitats, most notably in beech-maple hardwood forests. Look for an abundance of wild leeks and wildflowers such as trillium, trout lily, and Dutchmen's breeches. This type of forest stand is indicative of great mushroom habitat. These mushrooms also can be found under aspen (popple) or in burned areas.
White Morels Morschella esculenta are usually found a week or two later than the black morel type. They can be found in the same type of habitat as the black morels, but also check under white pines and old apple trees. White morels can also be found next to dead elm stumps, snags, or litter.
Morel mushroom hunting is a great pastime and hobby that yields tasty rewards. By paying attention to the weather, temperature and habitat to where morel mushrooms can be found, a budding morel mushroom hunter can soon become an experienced harvester.
Sources:
Weber, N. (1997). A Morel Hunter's Companion. Lansing: Thunderbay Press.
Ellen Wilson - Studied in Shakespeare, biology, astrology, and psychology, Ellen Wilson is a Renaissance woman extroardinaire.
