CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (AP) - As trees and flowers begin blossoming in Ohio, some people have their eyes to the ground as the morel mushroom season ramps up in the state.

Officials with the Ohio Mushroom society tell the Chillicothe Gazette that the arrival of spring in Ohio marks the beginning of the limited season for the cone-shaped mushrooms.

Owner of Chillicothe's Shawnee Valley Campground, Jimmy Pendleton, says forests with elm and ash trees are good spots to find morel mushrooms, which he calls "an Appalachian delicacy." Pendleton's campground will host a mushroom festival this month.

Mushroom society officials say they expect a good season for morel mushrooms, which are often used for cooking or making natural clothing dyes.

Board member Walt Sturgeon says there's an estimated 3,000 wild mushrooms in Ohio.

Information from: Chillicothe Gazette, http://www.chillicothegazette.com

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