Morels are a type of wild mushroom that grow in spring. They are a popular and sought-after wild food, and many people hunt them to eat or sell. Their scientific name is Morchella, but they are known by a number of colloquial names, too, including dryland fish, hickory chickens, merkels (miracles), and molly moochers.

What Do Morels Look Like?

They feature a distinctive net- or honeycomb-patterned cap and come in three color varieties: gray, yellow, and black. They grow in the moist ground throughout the United States and Canada, where they tend to bloom between mid-April and mid-June.

Nutrition Profile of Morels

Rich in vitamin D and several B vitamins, including folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and thiamine, morels also provide potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Going Morel Hunting? Read This First!

If you plan to pick your own, be sure to take an experienced hunter along with you. As with any type of mushroom, it’s possible to accidentally pick poisonous varieties. Several so-called “false morels” exist (see image below) and can confuse novice pickers. Most false varieties feature a wrinkled, brain-like cap, instead of the characteristic honeycomb pattern of a true morel. It is vital to practice 100% identification. Be sure to bring along a mushroom guide containing large, clear, full-color photos.

“False” Morels—DO NOT EAT:

Here’s an additional source to identify “false” morels and lookalikes.

Important tip: When collecting morels, use a flat box, basket, or mesh bag such as an onion bag. Do not use plastic bags as the morels will begin to spoil before you get them home. The spores need to fall to the ground which produces mushrooms for the next year.

Morel Recipes

Here are a few recipes to help you enjoy these delicious springtime fungi. If it’s not morel season, you can make these with any type of mushroom:

Fried Morels

Morels in Wine Sauce

Scrambled Eggs with Morels

Morels and Asparagus

Jaime McLeod is a longtime journalist who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.

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