Edith's Tips for Hunting Morels
Black Morels (Morchella elata and allies) are elusive. Just when mycologists begin to think they understand them, one will do something crazy like show up in somebody’s BBQ. For a second we will talk about false Morels and then we will move on to the “When’s” and “Where’s” of Morel hunting.
False Morels (Verpa spp.), or “Swampies” are not poisonous to everyone, but occasionally make people sick. First of all, they don’t grow in the same place as the “true” Morels. They live in almost swampy areas usually around Cottonwoods.
These Verpas are easily distinguished from the true Morel by the attachment of the cap to the stem. False Morels are attached to the stem only at the top in much the same way as an umbrella attaches to its handle. A true Morel cap attaches straight to the stem at the lower edge. Another easy way to differentiate between true and false Morels is by cutting the stem in half. A false Morel stem will be filled with a cotton like substance. A true Morel will not.
False Morels (Verpa spp.), or “Swampies” are not poisonous to everyone, but occasionally make people sick. First of all, they don’t grow in the same place as the “true” Morels. They live in almost swampy areas usually around Cottonwoods.
These Verpas are easily distinguished from the true Morel by the attachment of the cap to the stem. False Morels are attached to the stem only at the top in much the same way as an umbrella attaches to its handle. A true Morel cap attaches straight to the stem at the lower edge. Another easy way to differentiate between true and false Morels is by cutting the stem in half. A false Morel stem will be filled with a cotton like substance. A true Morel will not.
Photo by Adam Baker
Morels fruit most prolifically in the Spring. When is the Spring? Spring is when there are flowers out and leaves are on the trees.
Morels, especially Black Morels also known as Fire Morels, like disturbance. They will lay almost dormant in the forest until something disturbs them. Then they will shoot up mushrooms and spread their spores.
Sometimes this disturbance is caused by wind storms, floods, or landslides. They can even be disturbed by getting stepped on by an elk or deer, but most often as the name implies, they react to fire. Fortunately, fires are common in the types of forests Morels like, so the mushrooms are relatively common as well. Find areas of burned mixed Fir and Pine forests and you will find Morels.
Morels, especially Black Morels also known as Fire Morels, like disturbance. They will lay almost dormant in the forest until something disturbs them. Then they will shoot up mushrooms and spread their spores.
Sometimes this disturbance is caused by wind storms, floods, or landslides. They can even be disturbed by getting stepped on by an elk or deer, but most often as the name implies, they react to fire. Fortunately, fires are common in the types of forests Morels like, so the mushrooms are relatively common as well. Find areas of burned mixed Fir and Pine forests and you will find Morels.
Another good way to know you are in the right spot is the presence of plywood signs with the words “Mushroom Buyer” spray painted on them. Migrant workers wandering the forest with buckets are another good clue you are in the right spot.
Once you are in the right spot, look around the base of downed trees. A burning tree on the ground will heat the forest floor and cause the mushrooms to fruit. The empty cavities left where a tree’s roots have been completely burned out of the ground are also a good spot to look. Also check around wet spots and creeks. Take your time, move slowly, and attack the mushrooms uphill. When you spot a Morel at a glance, never make eye contact and never approach them directly. Weave your way towards them slowly. Other Morels in the area you might have missed will give themselves up.
Morels, like most other mushrooms, can easily be fooled by the old “I haven’t found any for awhile” trick! This trick has been used by mushroom hunters for years. Here is how it works. If you feel like you are in the right spot, but you have not found any mushrooms for awhile, call out to the people you are with “I haven’t found anything in awhile!”. More often than not, the mushrooms in the area will relax and let their guard down. When they do that, you’ve got them. Use this trick only as a last resort!
Once you are in the right spot, look around the base of downed trees. A burning tree on the ground will heat the forest floor and cause the mushrooms to fruit. The empty cavities left where a tree’s roots have been completely burned out of the ground are also a good spot to look. Also check around wet spots and creeks. Take your time, move slowly, and attack the mushrooms uphill. When you spot a Morel at a glance, never make eye contact and never approach them directly. Weave your way towards them slowly. Other Morels in the area you might have missed will give themselves up.
Morels, like most other mushrooms, can easily be fooled by the old “I haven’t found any for awhile” trick! This trick has been used by mushroom hunters for years. Here is how it works. If you feel like you are in the right spot, but you have not found any mushrooms for awhile, call out to the people you are with “I haven’t found anything in awhile!”. More often than not, the mushrooms in the area will relax and let their guard down. When they do that, you’ve got them. Use this trick only as a last resort!
We recommend brushing off all mushrooms in the field. This will help the mushrooms spread their spores and save you a lot of time cleaning at home. |
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