PNW morels come in 3 broad categories: Blonde (aka white morels) and natural black morels occur most frequently in the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge where Cottonwood, Maple, and Alder trees grow abundantly in extra wet lowlands.  Fire morels grow in abundance 1-2 springs following a forest fire where conifers (especially Pines) leave behind the charred wood they prefer to feed on.  Each category contains several species that come in several colors.

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These delicious mushrooms are easily distinguished from their poisonous look-alikes by looking for their hollow cross-section and honeycomb-like caps.  Morels and must never be eaten raw, always cook thoroughly over medium-high heat.

Not sure where to look?  Check out this 3 part blog series that focuses in on what to look for in different habitats:

- Finding Morels In Riparian Zones

- Finding Morels In Conifer Forests

- Finding Morels in Burns