Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi

DK Smithsonian Handbooks

by Thomas Læssøe

An authoritative field guide to more than 450 species of wild mushrooms from around the world, "Mushrooms" shows the life cycle and features of a mushroom, what supplies are needed for mushroom foraging, and how to take a spore deposit.

A photographic field guide forms the heart of the book, providing information on size, range, and habitat; clear images and illustrations of specimens; and information on what's poisonous and what's edible -- making this the ultimate guide to mushrooms.

Genres: Nature, Science, Reference, Nonfiction, Food, Guides, Cookbooks

360 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1996

Reviews

[Cabracrazy18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better mushroom guides I've come across. I love the large color photographs of specimens as well as a 'compared to the size of your hand' chart to show the size. I also really like the identification key in the front of the book that really helps narrow down the identification process. My biggest complaint is that mushrooms are often listed as being 'edible in Europe' but 'unknown edibility in US' or 'palatable in Europe' and 'not palatable/toxic in US'. I don't understand how if it's truly the same specimen, how it can be edible in one part of the world, but toxic elsewhere. Still, a great identification guide but would still recommend cross-referencing.

[talltaletraveler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an awesome mushroom guide AND it’s such an easy read! It’s a wonderful source for both beginner and experienced fungi enthusiasts! So far this is my go to mushroom and fungi guide. The only thing I didn’t like about the book was that it’s not alphabetical so it does take a minute to find what you’re looking for sometimes. But if you know the kingdom of the fungi you’re inquiring about it can be little quicker.

[Beth (FebruaryFilly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoying using this book in homeschooling to identify local fungi and to introduce the life cycle. The information and family distinction charts were easy to read and navigate by a 4th grader. Not surprising given that this is a DK publishers book.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A particularly helpful guide with clear pictures and descriptions. Have used it to successfully identify various mushrooms including ceps, trooping funnels, puffballs, wood blewits, chicken-of-the-woods, and many more.

[Mina · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent guide with great photos of young stages, caps, gills, and cross-sections of almost every mushroom listed as well as a size chart as compared to an adult hand. also takes into account mushrooms which are edible in europe and may not be in north america. only downside is that it is missing labels of toxicity of some mushrooms but the kingdom of fungi still has a lot of teach us so maybe the information just isn't out there yet. better to not suggest anything than spread misinformation.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sections explaining how to identify mushrooms were very well illustrated and easy to follow. However, this book was written for Europe, not North America, and although there is some overlap in edible species, it is not ideal for use here.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband I love this book. Great layout, important information. It's the only one I feel we need.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

After many different mushroom books I still come back to this one as the easiest to use and identify mushrooms. A good choice for a beginner and expert alike.