State Mushroom - Morel

The morel was adopted as the state mushroom in 1984.

Morchella esculenta, commonly known as the morel, sponge mushroom, or honeycomb morel, was adopted as the official mushroom of the state of Minnesota in 1984. Morels are tasty and considered a rare delicacy by mushroom hunters. They are cone-shaped mushrooms growing from the soil through the leaf mat. They usually are two to six inches high, creamy tan or shades of brown and gray (darkening as they age), with pitted, spongy heads, smooth stems, and hollow interiors. They pop up in fields and forests usually in springtime, and are found more readily in southeastern Minnesota than in other parts of the state. This photograph was taken near St. Paul.

Morel information and recipes

Minnesota Statutes 1984 section 1.149

State Symbols

State Bird - Loon
State Drink - Milk
State Fish - Walleye
State Flag
State Seal
State Song - Hail! Minnesota
State Fruit - Honeycrisp Apple
State Butterfly - Monarch
State Flower - Pink Lady's Slipper
State Gemstone - Agate
State Grain - Wild Rice
State Muffin - Blueberry
State Mushroom - Morel
State Photograph - Grace
State Sport - Ice Hockey
State Tree- Norway Pine
State Soil - Lester
State Motto - L’etoile du Nord
State Bee - Rusty Patched Bumblebee