Oklahoma lawmaker proposes morel mushroom as state symbol

(KXII) – Foragers from across the country travel to Oklahoma each spring for the chance to find morel mushrooms.

The rare, wild, edible fungi are known for their honeycomb-like caps and a savory, nutty taste.

Steven Landseadel, a Florida resident, said he travels halfway across the country to hunt for the mushrooms. He has found as many as 20 morels near the Red River.

“I was ecstatic, to say the least,” Landseadel said.

The mushrooms are so popular in Oklahoma that Rep. John George, R-Newalla, is giving them a chance to be the state mushroom.

“I decided I’m gonna run a fun bill. It’s OK to have a little fun at the capital because tens of thousands of people hunt morel mushrooms,” George said.

George is the author of House Bill 3263 and said it was inspired by his own love of hunting the fungi.

“I grew up as a hunter and in a good year I find 300 or 400,” George said.

Many foragers are protective of the mushrooms and keep their locations secret, making it harder for others to find them.

“All I’ll tell you is I find them in the woods,” said Jacob Toews, a local morel hunter.

“A lot of people have a spot but they don’t want to tell you it because they left all their mushrooms growing there,” Landseadel said.

When foragers do find the mushrooms, they use them in various meals.

“I bread them and fry them and I also make a soup. It’s delicious,” Toews said.

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