Sunday, April 25, 2010

Morels are here!


My garden isn't growing yet, but Zack found the season's first morel a few minutes ago. Now I really wish I was off tomorrow, because they're only good harvested in the mornings. Maybe I can just go in late...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great photo, though I'll stick to domestic mishrooms.

"On one hand, many people have enjoyed eating false morels for years and may even consider them a favorite wild mushroom. On the other, false morels have definitely caused serious illnesses and deaths in the United States........................

False morels have wrinkled, irregular caps that are brainlike or saddle-shaped. They may be black, gray, white, brown or reddish. (The "big red morel," Gyromitra caroliniana, common in Missouri, is a large false morel with a reddish cap.) Other names include elephant ears, Arkansas morels and brain mushrooms. Size 2" to 8" tall."

http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/mushrooms/mushroom/poisonous.htm

Roxann said...

False morels really don't look like true morels (and there are a few certain distinguishing differences), but it's always best to trust your own judgement.

Also, even if they're edible mushrooms, some people have reactions to them, just like any other food allergy.

So yes, there's always precautions to take, but gathering morels is a huge event out here and everyone looks forward to it. There are plenty people to positively identify what you've gathered, to give you a second opionion.

NitWit1 said...

I need to get out and look for some to photographs. I don't eat any mushrooms due to food allergies and husbnad doesn't like them.

Anonymous said...

...beautiful picture as always (what camera do you use?)
This is a true morel - no doubt in my mind and I would not hesitate to eat it. Must be pretty "domestic" if it grew on your back 40.... I got to go look for some too now that it rained a little today - finally.....

Best,
another new "Ozarker"

Roxann said...

Anonymous,

My camera is getting old and sometimes I can't make it zoom or tare out anymore, but I've sure loved and used it a lot over the years. It's a Panasonic DMC-FC10 and they don't make that model now, but the one they do offer is probably better anyway, and for the same price (or less) I paid for that one 6 years ago. The best thing about it is the color saturation, I think.

Duane k said...

Yum... We had to have some dirtwork done recently which destroyed the area we've found morels in the past. :(

Juli said...

excellent find! when's supper ? :)

Roxann said...

Juli,

We'd go hungry if we had to depend on our mushroom hunting expertise! That's the only one we found, and I haven't found any at all. The boys usually find them.

Did you find any this year?