Posted in Missouri Nature April 01, 2021 by Beth Price-Williams

A Local Delicacy, Morel Mushrooms Are Popping Up In Woods Across Missouri

Spring’s return means so many things – longer days, warmer temperatures, and the return of the ruby-throated hummingbirds. The warmer months also mean an extra kick to our recipes with the annual emergence of morel mushrooms. If you’re a fan of the popular springtime mushrooms, you’ll definitely want to plan to hunt for them soon.

Missouri is home to a variety of mushrooms, which usually emerge between the spring and the fall. The most popular springtime mushroom, a delicacy for many, is the morel mushroom.

Morel mushrooms typically grow, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), from the end of March to the beginning of May, so the window for finding them is relatively short.

The mushrooms grow very quickly, sprouting in as little as 24 to 48 hours. If you went hunting for morels a few days ago and found nothing, you might find they’ve sprouted in a day or two. A morel mushroom usually measures between two and four inches.

Your best bet for finding morel mushrooms is to head to moist areas in the woods and on river bottoms, according to the MDC. You might even find them near dead elm trees and in areas that have been burned.

Finding the mushrooms is one thing. Once you find the mushrooms, you must ensure they are, indeed, morel mushrooms or are mushrooms that are safe to eat. Never taste a mushroom until you are 100 percent sure it is safe to eat.

The MDC recommends identifying the mushrooms you’ve found in a few tried and true ways. You can, for example, show it to an expert or even take a workshop in identifying wild mushrooms.

If you decide to identify the mushrooms you’ve found via photos online or in a book, make sure you compare the mushrooms to numerous photographs and the accompanying descriptions rather than just using a single photo.

Once you’ve positively identified the mushroom as a morel mushroom, make sure you cook it thoroughly before eating it, advises the MDC.

Learn more about identifying morel mushrooms and all types of mushrooms on the official website of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Are you a fan of the morel mushrooms in Missouri? How do you like to eat them? Let us know in the comments! Spring’s the time for so many amazing things, including hiking. Check out these 10 easy and beautiful spring hikes in Missouri you’re sure to love.

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