What else is worth knowing about this remarkable mushroom? Commonly referred to as Japanese knotweed or oak mushroom, its more frequently used Japanese name reflects the conditions in which it grows.

The mushrooms are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found anywhere oak roots are present. The district says it doesn't allow people to collect any kind of mushrooms in its parks.

Considering Bivins made that statement while standing on a green patch of earth beneath the branches of a lush oak tree as two hawks carved the blue sky overhead, mushrooms must be doing their jobs.

With a lack of heavy rainfall leading up to morel season, it's likely morels will be harder to find this year. Here's what to know before the hunt.