URBANA, Ill. Spring is a time of change. Migrating birds return. Ephemeral wildflowers start popping up. And morel mushrooms start appearing prompting enthusiastic mushroom hunters to scour forests across Illinois in search of the elusive and delectable fungi.
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — The village of Monticello is preparing to host the Mudpuppy Festival this weekend. The festival will take place from 1-4 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Monarchs Event Center in Monticello. Food, games, crafts, and live animal exhibits will all be at the family-friendly event. More information on the event can […]
Edible wild mushrooms are more than just your next meal
Submitted News
URBANA Every spring, enthusiastic woodland hunters scour forests across Illinois in search of an elusive and delectable fungi, the morel.
Determined foragers delight in the thrill of harvesting wild morel mushrooms, Morchella spp, that can’t be bought at a grocery store. Native mushrooms are incredibly difficult to produce due to a lack of understanding about the conditions needed to grow them.
“Wild morels definitely rule the spring, but there are quite a number of other edible mushrooms that can be found in Illinois, including pheasant backs, chicken-of-the woods, chanterelles, and my personal favorite, the hen-of-the-woods,” says Chris Evans, University of Illinois Extension forestry specialist.