Where Do You Find Morel Mushrooms Growing?

Morel mushrooms appear in the spring.

Also called sponge mushrooms, morel mushrooms can be found wherever there is enough decaying vegetation for them to feed on. They appear in early spring.

Habitats

Morels are often found on disturbed, burned or ground that has been recently cleared. They may also be found in piles of decaying wood chip mulch and in fruit orchards. Morels usually grow in groups rather than singly and often can be found near elms, ashes and poplars.

Identification

Edible morel mushrooms range in color from yellow to very dark brown and with a sponge-like cap. The lightly bumpy stem is a lighter shade than the cap. When sliced open lengthwise, the entire mushroom is hollow.

Mushroom Warning

There are potentially poisonous mushrooms that closely resemble morels. The common false morel and the beefsteak mushroom both have spongy caps and appear at about the same time as true morels. It is advisable to buy a mushroom identification book and bring an experienced mushroom hunter along on your first foraging trips.

References

• Mycological Society of San Francisco: Morels
• Michigan Morels: Morel Identification
• Nature Almanac: Morels!