"Common" Morel
Confirmed safe by two field guides, quartered lengthwise, sautéed in extra virgin olive oil with freshly minced garlic and a pinch of Celtic sea salt. Oh my.
On again, off again rain this weekend made for easy pickin' of invasive Garlic Mustard. Here's a patch "before,"
and 10 minutes later, "after,"
making room for native plants such as these. . .
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Basswood, aka American Linden, aka Bee Tree leaves
Young Red Oak leaves
White Baneberry
6 comments:
Our Baneberry isn't blooming just yet and where I found Morel last year, not any yet either...will go out again tomorrow though.
After some 'figeting' we did manage to erect the fence, it's not as large an area as yours, but it probably took us just as long. I'm very satisfied with it. Nice to have it in common, Jain, along with the love of all things outside!
♥...Wanda
I've only ever seen a morel in "my" Mid-Atlantic Piedmont natural area one time many years ago. They came up (more than one!) one year and were never seen again. I'm jealous.
Unfortunately (as I'm sure you know), garlic mustard seeds persist in the soil for many years. You've defeated this year's bunch, but there are more, unseen, lurking underfoot. I've been at it in a small patch for years; density is reduced but some still appear each year.
When I was a kid I used to go to the same spot every year to pick Morels with my grandparents. I had never been able to find them again as an adult. Every year I went back to look for them when I was living in the Keweenaw. I figured they just weren't growing there anymore. Then three years ago in the one short week I was home in May I went to the spot and found them. Only about 10, but what a treat. Supposedly they grow around here as well, but I have never found any. I'll keep looking though!
Wanda, I'm happy you like your fence, and hope you're finding lots of morels!
Scott, I know about garlic mustard seeds all too well. It will be an ongoing management project. I cleared a patch last spring and I've been pleased that that area is still pretty clean. I'm hoping the natives will have a chance to move in and take hold
Nicole, 10 sounds like a lot!
Dad used to take us morel hunting in the woods every year. We never found any. I think it was his excuse to get out into nature. The year we moved out of the country and into the suburbs (we had to sell the farm to pay for my grandfather's nursing home expenses), a big colony appeared in Grandpa's yard where they'd never been before.
I found one in our yard last year and left it, hoping the spores would spread. Still just one this year. They're mysterious critters, awright!
Good luck in your search!
What a yummy ad hoc recipe, Jain. It sounds delectable! We used to pick them when we'd visit our grandparents in upstate New York. My grandmother could whip up some goodies with them that would just overwhelm the senses.
And aren't you glad I decided not to say something about "the morel of this story is..."? I thought about it. I really, really thought about it. ;-)
Jason, with 'shrooms as rare as these, I daren't sully them by mixing them with any other ingredients.
I'm certainly delighted that you resisted the urge to pun. Nevertheless, I consider you a fun guy! ;oP
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