Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America (Volume 106)

by R. Michael Davis, Robert Sommer, John A. Menge

California and the Western States are rich in abundant and diverse species of mushrooms. Amateur mushroom collectors and mycologists alike will find over 300 species of the region’s most common, distinctive, and ecologically important mushrooms profiled in this comprehensive field guide. It provides the most up-to-date science on the role of fungi in the natural world, methods to identify species, and locations of mushroom habitats. With excellent color illustrations showing top and side views of mushrooms of the Western States and a user-friendly text, it is informative but still light enough to be carried into the woods. When used to identify mushrooms, keys bring the reader to individual species, with a descriptive text providing cues for identifying additional species. Mushrooms common in urban landscapes are included, which is especially useful for the casual encounter with backyard fungi. The guide also provides a table of both old and new species names, and information on edibility and look-alikes, both dangerous and benign.

A section on mushroom arts and crafts features mushroom photography, painting, philately, spore prints, dyes, and cultivation. The guide also offers a comprehensive list of resources including national field guides, general mushroom books and periodicals, club and society contact information, and web sites.

· Primary descriptions and illustrations of 300 species of mushrooms plus text descriptions of many more.

· Latest word in mushroom taxonomy and nomenclature. Clear discussion of DNA sequencing and new classifications.

· Especially good coverage of southern California and Southwestern mushrooms often neglected in other field guides.

472 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2012

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because my cousin, R. Michael Davis, wrote it with the assistance of others, and my sister did many of the drawings included in the book. I had not seen a copy anywhere before, so I purchased it online. I think the book is very well written, with a lot of detail about the most common mushrooms found in the west, along with details such as alternate names of species, extremely well written descriptions, and superb photos and drawings. I am very glad I got this book to add to my collection of mushroom and fungi books, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the mushrooms which grow 'out west.'

[Sven Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful, good pictures.