How to Identify Pictures of Wild Northwest Morel Mushrooms

A prime example of a black morel.

The earthy, meaty flavor of wild Northwest morel mushrooms make them some of the most sought after and expensive mushrooms in the United States. They are easily recognizable by their unique appearance that make them stick out from any other mushroom. However, if you are new to the morel mushroom world, it's possible to mistake them for other potentially dangerous mushrooms, usually referred to as false morels. Once you know the characteristics, you'll be able to spot a morel in a matter of seconds, whether it be in real life or in a photo.

Instructions

1. Morels in the Northwest can be a light grey, brown, cream or black. The colors should be very earthy and not bright.

2. The stem of a wild Northwest morel should be thinner than the head of the mushroom and have a white, creamy color, regardless of the morel variety. The base of the stem may also be wider than the top.

3. The shape of the head of the morel should be somewhat tapered, being thinner at the top and slowly growing wider as it goes down. False morels often do not have a uniform shape and may even be flat on the top.

4. Wild Northwest Morels have a spongy appearance, with ridges and deep pits covering the entire surface. Some describe the appearance as similar to a honeycomb but not quite as organized.

5. Examine the inside of the mushroom, if there is an available picture of this. Northwest morels are completely hollow on the inside, from the base of the stem, all the way to the top of the head. No false morel will have a hollow inside.

References

• The Great Morel: Varieties
• American Mushrooms: Morels

Resources

• Morels.com: Photos of Morels