Fire Morel
Latin name : Morchella spp.
Hul'qumi'num: kwumsuli'qw (mushroom)
Description:
Morels grow directly from the ground, ranging from the size of your thumb at the first knuckle, up to ~5 inches tall. Overall the stems of fire morels will be lighter than their caps and are hollow throughout their stem and cap. Instead of gills underneath the cap like most edible mushrooms you think of, the entirety of their caps are pitted and hold spores. Their caps range in color from black to grey to brown to blond. The most common ones you’ll find in British Columbia (Morechella sextelata or septimelata) are generally brown. If you are lucky you will find a grey or a blond (M.tomentosa), apart from their color, they are distinguishable from other fire morels because of their density. They are heavier and more densely pitted than other fire morels, not growing quite as large, and have a sort of fuzzy/frosty appearance.
Indicator species:
Morels prefer areas with more moisture in the ground, and you may first notice a couple of species that also enjoy these conditions before you spot a morel. “Pixie cups” or “orange cup” fungus (Geopyxis carbonaria) are often in abundance where morels are growing. Similarly, liverworts (Marchantia spp.) reflect high moisture in the ground and often grow where you may find morels.
Apart from these species, look at the forests’ topography. Although morels prefer higher elevations, look for wet microclimates in depressions and valleys that would accumulate more moisture.
Harvest and Sustainability:
Morels are a fire-loving fungi, meaning you will likely find them in burnt forests most abundantly in the spring following a summer fire season, however, it is possible to find them outside of burns in the spring. They will also fruit in the same burns in the proceeding years, however, their abundance will become less and less, so it's best to go to the most recent burns for harvest. Most commonly you will find morels in conifer burns, but they can also occur where aspen has been burnt. They don't always require wildfire burns to grow, the fruiting of morels is stimulated by fire and smoke, making it common to find them growing around fire pits or burn piles.
Once you’ve found your mushrooms, always cut them (never pick) at the stalk so as not to harm the mycelium. The rule of “thumb” for harvesting morels is to harvest them no smaller than your thumb to the first knuckle. They are too young otherwise, and it is best to let them develop and come back for harvest. When morels become old, their stems darken are meet the width of their caps, at this point they are called “witch hats”. In this state, they are less desirable for eating and preserving but are still edible. Cooking immediately is the best use of witches' hats and is important to consider if you decide to pick them.
Resource:
https://www.mushroomrevival.com/blogs/podcast/fire-loving-fungi
The Mushroom Revival Podcast episode: “Fire Loving Fungi” with Dr.Monika Fischer, takes an interesting dive into mushrooms’ adaptations, response, and role in the forest following wildfires. Also, it explores an interesting piece on how fire-loving fungi can be germinated in the lab (with liquid smoke!) and much more!
Uses: Morels are delicious when cooked and very good for you. They directly reflect the soil they grow from, containing many beneficial vitamins and minerals. They are also beneficial for the liver and balancing blood sugar. Morels will keep in the fridge for about a week, however, they dry very well and can be stored dry longer than you will be able to resist the urge to eat them.
Drying: Morels can be dried in a dehydrator at 110F for ~10 hours. They can also be sundried in the open, on a tarp. This takes about 3 days or more of full sun, and they should be put away at night to avoid dew. They can also be air-dried which requires stringing them up with a needle and cotton thread, then hanging the garlands of morels for 2 days or more depending on how dry the climate is. When finished and collected they make a beautiful chattering sound all together, as if they were sea shells.
