Western Half-Free Morel
Morchella populiphila
Family: Morchellaceae
Also called: Cottonwood Morel, Western Riparian Morel
Overview
Half-free morel of western cottonwood river bottoms. Edible — same caveats as eastern half-frees.
Edibility
Edible
Rarity
common
Trophic mode
saprotrophic
Typical peak
Apr–May
Season
Mar–Jun — typical fruiting months: Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Host trees & substrate
- Decaying sycamore wood and forest litter
Where it grows
See live fruiting predictions for Western Half-Free Morel on the forecast home page, or browse the full field guide.
Always confirm wild-mushroom identification with multiple sources and a knowledgeable local expert before consuming. Read the foraging safety guide.