I just wanted to present some quick information gleaned from some of the mycological literature concerning Morels. First and foremost is the fact that in order to find Morels, you need to go out and actually look for Morels (remember Evelyn Morelands presentation during the last meeting). So put this newsletter down now, hop in your car or truck, and start looking before the season wanes away.
It appears that the major groups of Morels are the Morchella elata complex (M. elata, M. angusticeps, M. conica - these are known as the Black Morels), the Morchella esculenta complex (M. esculenta, M. crassipes, M. deliciosa - these are usually blonde or brown with sometimes white, or mostly same color ridges), Morchella semilibera (the lower part of the yellow-brown cap hangs free on these Half-free Morels), Verpa bohemica (also known as Morchella bispora), and Verpa conica.
All of the Morchellas have the same basic look, which really needs no introduction. In fact, if you find any mushrooms that are blond, brown or black, cone shaped, with pits, please call me immediately for help with identification (I'll tell you, yep, it's a Morel!).
Probably the most important thing to keep in mind with the true Morels is that you really need to cook them - they should never be eaten raw. In fact, if you've never eaten Morels before, you should try them cautiously at first. There have been several well documented cases of stomach upset associated with eating them (as with any food, some people are allergic - that leaves more for us). It has been noted in the literature that some of these cases may have been aggravated by drinking alcohol - watch that dinner wine with your Morels until your sure of your reaction.
Verpa bohemica is widely eaten but it has caused well documented cases of severe stomach cramping, and loss of muscular coordination. Often this is preceded by consumption in large quantities, or over a long period of time.
You'll find the Morels in a wide variety of areas in the Pacific Northwest. Start looking in mid-March for the Verpa's, and starting as early as the beginning of April through as late as mid-June (I've found Morels in the hills above Bend, Oregon during the first week of June - this was my first and only time of actually finding Morels). Look especially in areas where burns have occured the year before. Also very popular are along riverbeds where cottonwoods grow.
Some semi-specific areas to look include the Sauvie Island area, the hills around Estacada, the hills in Washington off the "bridge of the Gods", under conifers along the eastern slopes of the Cascades, along the coast in recent burn areas, and I firmly believe you can find them anywhere where I'm not. Specifically you will need to check with the people in the club that have actually tried to find Morels, and have had success.
As an aside, it is said that during the annual Boyne City, Michigan morel-hunting festival, that during one 90 minute race to collect Morels the record goes to one person who found 900 Morels!
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