By Katie Oreskovic Staff Writer
There is something fulfilling and even whimsical about pushing aside a dew-covered leaf to expose a rare, edible plant, knowing that it can be taken home to create a meal. Sustainability has gained a renewed, tender appreciation in recent years, which has brought attention to the foraging of wild edibles. Spring is the perfect time to try foraging, since the morel mushroom, known for its distinct taste, thrives during this season.
Foraging morels is comparable to a treasure hunt, as part of the search is the challenge of anticipating where they might appear. Due to their unpredictable and complex nature, understanding the environment in which morels thrive can aid in the search.
“South and west facing slopes are good sites to look for morels early in the season, with north and east slopes being better for later-season morel hunting,” According to the Missouri Department of Conservation. “Areas disturbed by flooding, fire, or logging often produce loads of morels.”
The fungus is also known to surface around particular trees such as elms, ashes, or cottonwoods. The correlation of morel growth among certain species is attributed to a symbiotic relationship called mycorrhizae.
“Mycorrhizae are dual organs of absorption common to almost all land plants,” according to the United States Department of Agriculture. “The fungal hyphae [similar to roots] actually grow among, and in some cases into, the outer cells of the plant’s root tips.”
This connection allows for a nutrient exchange that supports the growth of both the tree and fungus and gives foragers a clue as to where to start their search.
While the spring of 2025 invites the winter snow to melt and soil temperatures to rise, morel mushroom season is nearing. For those who value a connection to the natural world, spending time traipsing under the branches of an elm tree or looking beside a rotting cottonwood may lead to the discovery of not only a tasty gift from nature, but newfound knowledge about the environment.
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