Recent rains and warmer temperatures are giving a boost to one of Iowa’s favorite forest finds.
The beloved morel mushroom is making an appearance throughout much of the southern half of the state, according to online reports, with more undoubtedly on the way.
Soil temperatures of 50 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit are said to be ideal for the sponge-like mushrooms to “pop.” View the current soil temps for Iowa.
As of this week, much of the state had reached that mark.
Reports of tiny “grays,” a variety of morel mushrooms, began in Iowa as early as the beginning of April, but larger morels and greater quantities began pouring in on Facebook pages, such as Morel Hunters of Iowa, around April 9.
Some mushroom hunters look for morels in the spring when lilacs begin to bloom. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Some morel hunters head to the woods when lilacs begin to bloom, or when wildflowers bloom, such as bluebells, trillium and bloodroot, and perennial hosta emerge.
The mushrooms are sometimes found near dead or dying elm trees, while ash trees, being decimated by emerald ash borer in many states, also are said to have a symbiotic relationship with morels.
A warm day following a good rain, which most of Iowa experienced this week, provides ideal morel growing conditions.
The Iowa Morel Report Facebook group posted a map earlier this week showing confirmed morel reports in 26 Iowa counties, as far north as Linn County.
While the season can be fleeting, morels are celebrated at the annual Houby Days festival in Czech Village in Cedar Rapids every May.
See photos from last year’s festival.
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