College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology https://cals.ncsu.edu/entomology-and-plant-pathology/


Varsity Research Bldg. Module 6 1575 Varsity Dr., Suite 1535

Campus Box 7616

Raleigh, NC 27695-7616


 

NC State’s Larry F. Grand Herbarium’s “FIRST MOREL” Contest 2024

 

 

 

Mushroom-hunters know that morels are the heralds of springtime. These beautiful cup fungi used to be more abundant in the Triangle, but some years still bring them in profusion.

Local mycologists always have their favorite morel hunting grounds. For example, Professor Larry F. Grand, for whom our herbarium is named, had his favorite foraging spot. But the precise location of these hunting grounds is always a closely- guarded secret. Finding them is always memorable, but of course, half the fun is in the hunt.

 

 

This annual First Morel Contest is open to the North Carolina Triangle community. The rules are below. The annual prize for the earliest morel is a framed certificate, PLUS the distinction of having your prize-winning morel specimen dried and accessioned into the Larry F. Grand Herbarium—where it will be preserved in perpetuity and forever associated with your name!

 

 

The Rules

  •                  Collect your prize-winning morel within Wake, Durham or Orange County.
  •                  Submit your fresh, intact specimen to Scott LaGreca (Bradshaw Lab; Herbarium; Gardner Hall Room 3419; salagrec[at]ncsu.edu). The first morel received by Dr. LaGreca wins.
  •                  Provide date and time collected, plus complete location information (will be kept confidential upon request).
  • Have your picture taken with your winning fungus.
  • Enjoy your framed certificate.
  •                  Donate your winner to the Herbarium to be preserved in perpetuity, forever associated with your name.

 

Note: The scientific names of morels continue to change based on

growing knowledge of their evolution and diversity. For general identification advice, go to: mushroomexpert.com. Long story short, all the true morels (Morchella and related genera) are edible when cooked—assuming you've identified them correctly. Beware: some “false morels” (the genera Gyromitra or Verpa) can kill you. Don’t eat any fungus unless you are sure of its identification. NCSLG Herbarium personnel are happy to assist you with identifying your morels—even if it’s not the first of the season.

Converted to HTML with WordToHTML.net