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Missouri River Valley Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Missouri River Valley

500–1,200 ft · MO🚗 Directions

Good

Rich bottomland hardwoods along the Missouri River corridor. Cottonwood, elm, and ash dominate floodplains. Dead and dying elms are morel magnets. Easy access from Columbia and Jefferson City. Morels emerge early here due to low elevation and river-warmed soils.

Trees:Cottonwood American Elm Sycamore

Updated Oct 11, 5:06 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

The Missouri River Valley grades Good for fruiting: soil is sitting at 68.5°F, temperature thresholds have held for the full week, and the moisture trigger is met. The catch is moisture. You've had 0" in the last 7 days and only 0.71" over 14, and VWC is at 0.15 today against a 0.18 seven-day average, so the profile is drying down and moisture is the limiting factor. Drought status is none, so this is a fading pulse, not a deficit. The best bets are the big flush species that tolerate a drying window: Chicken of the Woods, Hen of the Woods, Honey Mushroom, Lion's Mane, Giant Puffball, Wine Cap, and the Lepiota/parasol group in open ground. Black Trumpet is the weakest of the group, with soil temps above threshold only 6 of the last 7 days. Soil-dwelling and ephemeral fruiters like Shaggy Mane, inkcaps, and the waxcaps will fade fastest if the dry streak continues, while wood-dwellers with established mass hold up better. Watch for rain: a half inch or more would reset the moisture trigger and push this toward Excellent, while another dry week will pull it down to Fair as VWC keeps slipping. Hot tip: Prioritize shaded, north-facing bottomland near the river, where moisture lingers longest, and hit the hardwood stumps and standing trees for Chicken and Hen of the Woods before the dry-down reaches them.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential80/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(3)

Pine Ridge Recreation Area

developed

USFS~5.1 mi from centerFee required/night

Mark Twain National Forest

Dry Fork Recreation Area

developed

USFS~7.1 mi from centerFee required/night

Mark Twain National Forest

Hart Creek Conservation Area

backcountry

~7.4 mi from center

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 69°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.18)

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.