Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160726123852.htm Larson and his co-authors conducted their study in the Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot, a long-term research site located in Yosemite National Park. A fire burned the research site in September 2013, killing more than 70 percent of the trees. Researchers then surveyed for morels in May 2014 in 1,119 small sample plots within the research site. Where morels were found, researchers discovered most of the ground surface was 100 percent burned by fire. Morels typically are found close together, yet unevenly distributed across the landscape. According to Larson, burned white fir forests in Yosemite alone could produce an average crop of more than 1 million morels per year, a sustainable amount for recreational picking. Hummm, makes one feel a little arsonistic. Bob Wilson
You could do worse than to snuffle around sciencedaily Larson et al. publication itself does an OK job of introducing subject of burn morels. See also National Morel Mushroom Festival | Official site for the Mushroom Festival held each May in Boyne City, Michigan
Not surprising that a rocketman would have interest in mushroom group that bases its 'toxins*' on hydrazine. *Pretty darn mysterious why mushrooms vary so widely in producing what we call toxins. But that's what we call them. Whaddayagonnado?
My Uncle Frank called them 'brain mushrooms' and every Spring was in a local grove after a rain harvesting them. Bob Wilson
Yeah, well, don't be eating any morels without cooking. Differentiating from false morels (of which some are importantly toxic) is a job for experienced 'gatherers'. General rule for mushroom hunting is if you are not completely sure, feed them to somebody you don't like first.
It might be a good question to ask - which 'animal model' has the most human-like responses to a wide range of mushroom toxins? Mice should be candidates; insects not.
