Bring on the morels!
Low-elevation morels have been popping around the Pacific Northwest since early April however it’s still early season for much of the region or even possibly still covered with snow. Most of the mushrooms people are finding in the Salish Sea region are landscape morels or Morchella importuna. This are dark, conic-shaped morel frequently shows up in 1 year old woodchips.
Blondes are often found in river bottom, riparian areas with cottonwood trees. The blonde morels are unique for their light coloration, more round shape, and rounded pits rather than the elongated, ladder-like arrangement of black morels. The Columbia valley is a great place to find blondes early in the spring. Kathy (pictured) found some in the Seattle area on Tuesday growing near cottonwoods
A hardwood associated (conic) black morel is Morchella brunnea. This has been found growing near bigleaf maple.
Morchella norvegiensis is nearly identical however it is found most often with conifer trees rather than hardwood/broadleaf trees.