Morels grow on the ground in many different types of settings, including as river bottoms and damp forests. Though they can be found under both hardwoods and conifers, they are frequently connected to ash trees, dying elms, and apple trees. The late March and early April months see the fruiting bodies, or mushrooms, emerge from the earth. Although plentiful, they are infamously difficult to find against the woodland floor. Morels live underground and work in symbiotic partnerships with tree roots to aid in their nutrition uptake. Morels break down dead leaves and wood as saprophytes, replenishing the soil with nutrients.

The majority of the time, morels are found underground as a network of cells called mycelium that are affixed to the soil, decaying matter, and tree roots. The mycelium begins to develop into what is known as a morel around the end of March. The mushroom is a structure used for reproduction. Spores are generated and expelled from the sponge-like cap’s pits. Millions of spores are released by morel mushrooms, and some morel hunters have even seen them “smoking”

“How can I find morels?” is a common query at this time of year. Well, morels are picky fungal creatures. Only some years see the underground section of the fungus produce mushrooms; these are largely dependent on the soil’s temperature and moisture content, though other elements also come into play.

We come to Missouri in April to enjoy the outoors and play on our family farm.  One of our favorites, besides fishing, is to go into the creek bottoms and hunt Morels.  We luckily have a  Creek flowing through the property with beautiful hardwood and ceder forests.  These pictures are from our first day foraging and our second day foraging.   Always be sure to put your tick and bug spray on because the mushrooms also grow where the deer come to drink at the creek;deer ticks are plentiful.