🍄 Spring in the forest
Morels: when and where they grow
Morels are among the first mushrooms of spring. Here you can see when morel season usually starts near you, where to look – and how to safely recognise the poisonous false morel.
Morel season near you
In Germany usually from late March to mid-May, later in the uplands. Enter your place to see the usual week near you.
Rule of thumb: when blackthorn is in white flower, morel season begins.
Where to find morels
Floodplains and streams
Under ash, elm and poplar, in floodplain forests and along streams – often where wild garlic grows in spring too.
Edges and orchards
At forest edges, hedges and in old orchards, usually on loose, lime-rich soil.
Black morels
Black morels also appear on bark mulch in gardens and parks and on old fire sites.
🛡 Protected – small amounts only Morel profile →
⚠️ Careful: false morel
Deadly poisonous. The toxin is also released when cooking – even the fumes can be harmful. Once traded as edible; that is outdated.
Morel
- Cap honeycomb-like with pits and ridges
- Cut lengthwise: one single continuous hollow
- Broadleaf and floodplain forest, orchards; black morel also on bark mulch
How to check: Morels have a honeycomb cap with pits and are one single hollow inside – false morels are convoluted and chambered. When in doubt, cut lengthwise.
What the rules say
- All native morels are specially protected. A small amount for personal use is allowed.
- In nature reserves picking is usually prohibited – watch for the signs.
- Leave small morels standing and do not disturb the ground around the spot.
Wild garlic season near you → · Mushrooms in winter and spring → · Mushroom alert for spring →
Frequently asked questions
When is morel season?
In Germany usually from late March to mid-May, later in the uplands. The first morels appear roughly when blackthorn flowers; most finds fall in the three to five weeks after. For your place, the box above shows the usual week.
Where do morels grow?
In floodplain forests and along streams, under ash, elm and poplar, at forest edges and in old orchards – usually on loose, lime-rich soil. Black morels also turn up on bark mulch and old fire sites.
How do I tell a morel from a false morel?
Morels have a honeycomb cap with pits and are one single hollow inside – false morels are convoluted and chambered. When in doubt, cut lengthwise.
Is picking morels allowed?
All native morels are specially protected under the German Federal Species Protection Ordinance. A small amount for personal use is allowed; in nature reserves picking is usually prohibited.