Morel Mushrooms
Check out the beauties below that one of our Facebook fans found. For those who are Fungi challenged, these are the coveted morel mushrooms. Morel spores were hiding in some of our Red Pine Mulch that was placed around trees last fall which resulted in 10lbs. of large mushrooms.
If you love the trill of the hunt, you may still find some of these coveted culinary finds. But be warned, don’t eat any wild mushroom unless you’ve identified it as a safe edible and have cooked it thoroughly. White or yellow morels start growing mid-May and sometimes last into June. If you do happen to spot some, be sure the cut rather than pinch these strong and meaty finds to get them out of the ground. If you pull a morel out with the roots, it will not likely re-grow, as you have just disturbed the mycelium, that is the part of the plant system under the ground that produces the actual morel and is very delicate and easy to kill.
How to spot a REAL yellow/white morel:
- Cut lengthwise it will be hollow from bottom of stem to top of cap.
- Bottom of the cap is fused to the stem. [Cap and stalk all one piece]
- Honeycombed cap is full of ridges and pits. [Prune like, only deeper pits]
- On most Morels the cap is longer than the stem.
- The stem has little bumps both inside and out.
- Stalk is sometimes enlarged at the base and usually a lighter color [sand, yellow or grayish color].
- Grows singly or in groups on the ground in deciduous woods and in disturbed or recently burned areas.
- Found especially under dying elms and living white ashes and cottonwoods.
For more information and to learn more about morel hunting, visit the Michigan Morels website.
Have you spotted any mushrooms recently? Share your photos on our Facebook page or “Ask Our Experts” about what to look for. Happy Hunting!
[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]