Showers and warm nights make morels grow and send folks to their favorite mushroom-hunting spots.
In late spring, watch for morels growing on the ground. The top or cap looks something like a sponge, with a shape like a tiny Christmas tree. The stem is thick, and when sliced, the whole mushroom is hollow. Three species are commonly found in our area, so morels will vary in color from gray to tan or yellow. They come in a variety of sizes, but most average three to four inches tall.
Like all mushrooms, morels are a fungus; and the part we pick is basically just the fruit. The main structure grows underground, which is a net of fibers that lives on decaying leaves and wood.
And the crazy thing is, morels seem to pop up overnight! They usually grow in 24 to 48 hours. Look for them in moist woods, river bottoms, and on south-facing slopes every few days or so. They’re often found near dead elm trees, in old orchards or burned areas.
But as with any wild edible, be sure you can identify morels before eating them. Either tag along behind an experienced morel hunter or take a good reference book along on your hunt. And please, if you’re not 100% positive of the ID, don’t eat it! It’s like what my mom says when I call her to ask about long-lost leftovers I discover in my fridge: “When in doubt, throw it out!”
Here’s a few quick How-to’s for MUSHROOM HUNTING
• Look for them from early spring (morels) to late fall (oysters and lion’s mane).
• Morels have a short, specific growing season of just several weeks in spring, while oyster mushrooms can be found from spring clear through to the beginning of winter
• There is no test to determine edible versus poisonous mushrooms. Even seeing evidence of animals eating them won’t work here. The only sure-fire way to tell if a mushroom is edible is by positive identification.
More information about morels and mushroom hunting in Missouri can be found online at missouriconservation.org.
Jean was raised in Walker and graduated from Walker High School in 1947. She was a farmer’s wife, helping to raise meat rabbits, poultry and always grew a big garden. Jean worked for 27 ½ years for the State of Missouri; first in Marshall, MO and later transferred to the Higginsville State Hospital. In 1968 she came to work at the Nevada State Hospital and continued there until her retirement in 1991. Following retirement, she and Glenn enjoyed traveling with their camper and making new friends along the way. She also made and sold porcelain dolls. She enjoyed babysitting, spoiling the great-grandchildren, and going to garage sales and auctions.
Jean is survived by her son, Don Goins (Diane), Walker, MO; grandson, Dustin Goins, Osage Beach, MO; great-grandchildren, Bryce Goins and Paige Goins, both of Osage Beach; and a niece, Cindy Spencer, Nevada, MO. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ernie Roof; two sisters, Ida Lee Spencer and Peggy Butler; two brothers-in-law, Kendall Spencer and Elwyn Butler; and grandson, Jeremy Goins.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Dederick , MO with Ray Dean Scism officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
