Spring is here, and that means morel mushrooms are going to be popping up all around the bi-state.
It also means plenty of people will be out collecting the much-loved fungi as the weather warms up.
The Missouri Department of Conservation says morels grow in late March through April. They're most likely to be found in moist areas, especially in woodlands and river bottoms. They can be hard to spot in the underbrush of forest floors, so keep a sharp eye out.
There are at least three different morel species in Missouri. They can appear seemingly overnight, sprouting up in just one or two days, and they can grow up to a foot tall later in the season.
But before hunting, take note — experts say mushrooms should be properly identified and thoroughly cooked before they are eaten.
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Watch out for poisonous false morels, which are reddish and have dense stems. The stems of true morels are always hollow.
Though morels are a local favorite, there are plenty of other edible mushrooms in the area.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has an online guide to edible and poisonous mushrooms, and a field guide booklet can be requested by emailing pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov with one's full name and address.
