Soil Temperature Map for Morel Hunting Watch the ground warm into the mid-40s°F across Washington, Oregon, and the Western US Studies elsewhere put morel fruiting onset in the mid-40s°F (43°F for a European morel, Buscot 1989); there is no Pacific Northwest study, and none for burn morels. Air temperature swings too fast to be a…
The following is a selection of mushrooms found in our region in January. Some have very specific habitats and might only be found in a small part of the region. Cat’s Tongue Pseudohydnum gelatinosum Considered a species ‘complex’, which includes multiple closely related species that can be difficult to separate visually. Chanterelle Cantharellus Chanterelles can…
Seattle-area mushroomers may be preparing for an excellent late-summer mushroom season this year. Cooler temperatures and above-average rain will prompt fruitings of many species found in our region’s late summer months, including choice edible species like king boletes and chanterelles. There is more to love about mushrooms than just these popular choice edibles. There…
Cleaning dirt, sand, and bugs from mushrooms is a common challenge for foragers. Here are some tips for reducing the amount of these that make their way into your cooking Clean Mushrooms As You Pick One key characteristic of morels is their honeycomb pockets. Unfortunately, these are also a great place for dirt to collect…
The Purpose and Role of Wilderness Areas Wilderness areas, managed by the National Forest Service, are essential for protecting natural landscapes and ecosystems. Created under the Wilderness Act of 1964, these regions are designed to remain free from significant human interference, allowing nature to thrive. Why Wilderness Areas Matter 1. Preserving Natural Environments These areas…
The genus name Gyromitra comes from two Greek words: gyros – circle or ring (as in gyroscope) mitra – headband or turban, later the bishop’s headdress (mitre, mitre joint) The “false morels” were traditionally all placed in Gyromitra, including brain-shaped, saddle-shaped, and disc-shaped species. Recent molecular work has split them into several genera (Maublancomyces, Paragyromitra,…
Morels are among the most widely foraged mushrooms in the United States. They are broadly distributed and easier to identify than most wild mushrooms, but they have toxic look-alikes (see below), so careful identification still matters. Their popularity has also produced a lot of misconceptions. Here are some of the most common. Morels are all…
Identifying Cottonwood Trees How to find black cottonwood for early-season mushroom hunting in the PNW Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) is one of the most important trees for early-season mushroom hunting in Western Washington. While our region is dominated by conifers, cottonwoods grow along rivers, streams, and lake margins — and they’re among the first trees…
Trent of Modern Forager posted about whether it is safe to eat morels foraged in burn zones where fire retardant may have been used. You can find the original post here. Here are my key takeaways from the article. Firefighters have much greater exposure to these chemicals than a typical forager. The Forest Service assessment…
Introduction Mushroom edibility is not a simple yes or no. Even widely eaten species cause reactions in some people. Some foragers in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe eat Gyromitra esculenta after repeated boiling, but that does not reliably remove its toxin, and we do not recommend eating it. Reactions vary from person to person and with…
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