Time Frame

• In Ohio the best time to search for the morel mushroom is during the spring months. Generally April and May are the best months but some can be found slightly earlier or later in the year.
  
  

Types

• The most common type of morel mushroom found in Ohio is the yellow morel. Its scientific name is Morchella esculenta and is also known as the true morel, common morel and sponge morel. The morel is a fungus and is one of the most easily recognized of the edible mushrooms.
  
  

Identification

• The yellow morel is known for its top. It has a grayish sponge appearance with ridges. The top sits on a white colored stem. The top or cap of the morel mushroom can range from 2 to 7 cm in width while the stem can grow to nearly 4 inches in height. Morels do vary greatly in height and width with several smaller mushrooms that are ripe for picking.
  
  

Geography

• In Ohio, the yellow morel is usually found near the remains of dying trees. Dying elm, cottonwoods and apple trees are excellent places to look for yellow morels. Morels can also be found near ash, sycamore and tulip trees. Morels also seem to be in abundance near the remains of old orchards, especially if apple trees were once grown there.
  
  

Warning

• Morel mushrooms are safe and quite easy to identify. However there is a mushroom known as beefsteak or the false morel. The false morel can be highly dangerous due to the levels of MMH it contains. There are a few distinct differences between the true morel and the false morel. Cut the mushroom in half. A true morel is hollow while the beefsteak will have cotton-like fibers inside. Look closely at the caps. True morel caps are pitted while the false morel is wavy. If after checking you're still unsure, do not eat it.