It is mushroom-hunting time!
Morel mushrooms pop up as if by magic in the springtime in Adams County. Moisture and temperature are key to their appearance - they like moist conditions (search near streams) and not too warm, not too cool conditions. One observation made by veteran morel-hunters is that the mushrooms often appear in disturbed ground, clear cuts and wildfire burns. One theory about why this might happen is that the morel, which is a type of fungus that feeds off of nutrients in the soil and around tree roots, is "cut off" from its host in areas of disturbance. The fungus then works hard to produce the delicious fruiting body, and the associated spores, so that it can disperse and reproduce.
To aide in your search for morels in Adams County, try these tips:
1. When the spring leaves of the oak trees are about the size of a mouse's ear, it is time to start hunting for morels.
2. Know your trees. Morel fungus is associated most often with sycamore, hickory, ash, and elm trees, as well as fruit trees.
3. Soil temperatures in the 50's seem to favor morel eruptions.
4. False morels, which include a number of different species, are toxic. Research the different types of false morels and be cautious about what you harvest. When in doubt, as an expert. This is a photo of one species of false morel:
Some species of false morels contain the chemical monomethyl hydrazine (MMH). MMH causes vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, and sometimes death. MMH is also suspected to be a carcinogen.
5. Go out with veteran mushroom-hunters to learn more tricks of the trade. A great group to contact is the Adams County Wild Mushroom Club, which can be reached at 937-549-3954.
Enjoy! Happy-hunting!
