The discussion was part of the Frederick County Public Libraries’ partnership with local National Parks to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial.

Lancosky started with a disclaimer that “not all things that are edible are worth eating.” She told the audience not to eat anything they don’t recognize. The consequences of a poisonous mushroom could be illness, a liver breakdown or even death.

The benefits of “hunting” morels is that they are tasty to eat and easy to identify, Lancosky said. Morels tend to come out in early spring, so finding them is a popular way to emerge from winter cabin fever. The best dates to find them are from April 15 through May 15, according to Lancosky.

“When I’m starting to hear the birds I haven’t heard all winter,” she said, that’s when she looks for morels.

Morels can be found on the ground near trees or where there used to be trees, Lancosky said. Mushroom hunters are allowed to collect up to a half gallon per day at Catoctin Mountain Park. Morels can also be found at Cunningham Falls State Park and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, she said.

Morels have a sponge-like texture; a tan to black color; a height of 3 to 6 inches; a cone shaped cap with pits and ridges; no gills; and a hollow stem with no cottony material inside. The hollow stem is a key identifier, according to Lancosky. She added that you must be sure to cut it in half before eating to be sure of the hollow stem.

Mushroom hunters should cut morels at the base without damaging the underground portion, she said. Once you get them home, cut them in half and soak the morels in water.

No wild mushroom should be eaten raw, morels included, Lancosky said. She recommended people sauté them in butter for about 20 minutes, rather than trying to make a quick stir-fry.

“They’re not low-fat,” Lancosky quipped.

Her personal favorite way to eat them is in an egg dish with asparagus.

The first time people eat morels they should only eat a few to make sure the digestion process is agreeable, Lancosky said. People also might want to avoid pairing them with an alcoholic beverage. The worst reaction she ever heard was an upset stomach.

While most of Lancosky’s presentation was focused on morels, she touched upon some other mushrooms that can be found locally.

Sulphur shelf mushrooms are more prevalent in the summer and fall. They are grown in wood, and have a large cluster of orange shelves and no stem. These are not to be confused with the bright orange “jack-o’-lantern” mushrooms, which Lancosky said are poisonous and have no gills.

Other local mushrooms include cream colored oyster mushrooms with a fan shaped cap, and blunt ridged chanterelles. Oyster mushrooms can be found on wood all year, and chanterelles come out in the summer and fall.

When it comes to mushroom hunting supplies, Lancosky said people need “mostly, patience,” plus a knife and a basket or plastic bag. People also might want to bring a compass if they are unfamiliar with the area.

With all the answers Lancosky gave, she did not want to give away exactly where she has found mushrooms in the past. She did say moist areas are preferable, and the eastern part of the park tends to be dry and rocky.

“Dryness seems to be a major detriment,” she said.

Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, resident Gary Dingle attended the presentation, adding that he has been mushroom hunting for 50 years. His favorite area in Maryland is near Eylers Valley Flint Road and along Md. 550 around Sabillasville.

“Some years I’ve found maybe six gallons,” Dingle said.

His favorite part of the experience is introducing it to first-timers.

“I can tell them there’s a mushroom in the area and see how long it takes them to find them,” he said.