NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/483826
26 NEBRASKAland • April 2015 N ebraska's mushroom hunters typically consist of those seeking the sponge-like morel mushroom that appears in the sandy soils of the state's major river valleys each spring. Once the morel season has dissipated, most mushroom collectors assume that the mushroom season is over – yet die hard hunters know that the collecting has only begun. The key to fungi hunting starts by learning the habits of favored mushrooms – timing is everything: a few days too early and mushrooms will not be visible, hidden under a mulch layer of leaves, dirt and wood; too late and they will be gone – all dried up or occupied by bugs. Starting in spring the desirable morel mushrooms start to appear after a nice rain or snow melt with warm temperatures following. Morels The morel (Morchella) is one of the most unmistakable fungi. All morels have a round to cone-shaped cap that is honeycombed with pits and ridges that resemble a sponge. Morels have a short stalk and are hollow through the cap and stem and host a warm brown to tan or yellowish color. False morels should not be mistaken for morels and should not be eaten. They will have a cotton-like fiber in the stem. Sliced long ways the difference is noticeable as false mushrooms are not hollow. The cap will not be honeycombed and pitted like the morel and will be red-brown, brown or yellow-brown. Widely scattered or clustered morels can be found in a variety of places; they like loose, sandy soil with high humidity and decaying vegetation that can be found in wooded areas, hardwood forests with ash and elm trees, riparian woodlands, fruit orchards and sandy soils near rivers and streams. Look for them under conifers and in ravines and deciduous woodlands; recently burned areas and disturbed areas will also produce morels. Scan for early morels in dense underbrush and around fallen trees and river banks on south-facing slopes and open areas in woodlands where the sun can penetrate the ground – later on, hit the shaded and north- facing slopes. Use a walking stick to carefully move leaves and debris out of the way to reveal morels hidden on the forest floor. Once you train your eyes to "see" morels collecting will be easier. When gathering, pinch the morel at the base and gently twist to break the stem or carry a small knife to cut the Story and photos by Julie Geiser Morels are one of the most unmistakable mushrooms with their cone-shaped, honeycombed cap encompassed with pits and ridges that resemble a sponge. While the most popular, morel mushrooms are just one of a select number of edible fungi species in Nebraska. While the most popular morel mushrooms are just one of a select number of edible Mushrooms Through t True morels (top) are hollow, while false morels (bottom) contain a stalk throughout the mushroom. ILLUSTRATION BY TIM REIGERT