Nancy Sweet wrote a wonderful article about morel mushrooms. I can’t wait to try her recipes. Here are some simple things we can do to be good stewards of this precious bounty. Start by being an advocate for the preservation of their habitat. Very little Oak/Hickory woodland remains in Central Illinois, compared to its historic distribution. Speak up for the wild places we still have. I have my own fond memories of gathering morels with my Cherokee grandmother. We never took all of the mushrooms we found. If there was only one, we thanked it, welcomed its future relations, and walked away empty handed. Most of the fungal body is underground in the soil. The part we enjoy eating is actually a reproductive structure. If we take them all, we interfere with the natural cycles that replenish the population for future years. Many woods here in central Illinois have been over-harvested to the point that the mushrooms aren’t nearly as abundant as they once were. Do your part by always leaving a few behind. They will produce the next generation. It is also a good idea to carry your harvest through the woods in an open weave bag. That way, any spores that have already formed have a chance of falling out along the way. I like to use the mesh bags that onions come in. If possible, return your rinse water to a nearby woods. When I was a child, my grandmother always threw the water out in the same spot and we always found morels there. Take care of your “special spot” and you will enjoy a bountiful harvest for many years to come.
– Becky Croteau, professor, biology
