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Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest: Timber Press Field Guide
The Pacific Northwest is one of the best places to find mushrooms — they are both abundant and spectacularly diverse. Yet until now, there has been no mushroom guide that focuses on the region. This compact, beautifully illustrated guide presents descriptions and photographs of 460 of the region's most conspicuous, distinctive, and ecologically important mushrooms.
The geographic range covered by the book includes Oregon, Washington, southern British Columbia, Idaho, and westernmost Montana, with an emphasis on the heart of mushroom country: the low- to mid-elevation forest habitats of western Oregon and Washington. In addition to profiles on individual species, Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest also includes a general discussion and definition of fungi; information on where to find mushrooms and guidelines on collecting them; an overview of fungus ecology; and a discussion on mushroom poisoning and how to avoid it.
The geographic range covered by the book includes Oregon, Washington, southern British Columbia, Idaho, and westernmost Montana, with an emphasis on the heart of mushroom country: the low- to mid-elevation forest habitats of western Oregon and Washington. In addition to profiles on individual species, Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest also includes a general discussion and definition of fungi; information on where to find mushrooms and guidelines on collecting them; an overview of fungus ecology; and a discussion on mushroom poisoning and how to avoid it.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 20, 2022
This book of clearly defined types and kinds of mushrooms, in their usual habitat would be the No. 1 tool of those who are seeking these out in the forests and wilderness - the photographs are lovely and helpful to novice and expert alike.
Truly a field guide, by a trusted expert, yet a beautiful work of art all by itself. Happy hunting!
Truly a field guide, by a trusted expert, yet a beautiful work of art all by itself. Happy hunting!
February 10, 2022
My go-to field guide for mushroaming in the pnw!
October 16, 2022
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest is a well illustrated field guide to the mushrooms of the PNW written by Dr. Steve Trudell. Originally published in 2009, this revised and updated edition is due out 25th Oct 2022 from Timber Press. It's 416 pages and will be available in flexibound format in this edition.
Amateur mycologists, wanderers, forages, and lovers of nature will enjoy this well photographed and scientifically correct field guide specifically aimed at the Pacific northwest. Graphically the book is full of clear color photos which will help with ID and location. The field guide sections contain many color photos of each species including closeups and at different stages of development. The author also does a good job of explaining the *differences* between look-alike species to help with positive ID. Each entry includes the name, the binomial (Latin) name (including an English translation of the Latin), common name(s), identifying descriptions, look-alikes, and some taste/smell descriptors.
The entries are arranged logically and thematically: Gilled mushrooms are further divided into light and dark spored species (with a good general guide on spore printing and the life cycle of various fungi), club/coral/fan fungi, polypores & crust fungi, morels false morels & elfin saddles, cup fungi, pink & brown spored gilled mushrooms, boletes, spine fungi, puffballs, jelly like fungi, and truffles and false truffles. There are useful appendices, including a glossary and a solid resource/links list for further reading as well as additional comments to the first edition, and a cross referenced index.
Five stars. Useful, with clear and specific directions. This would be a good selection for library acquisition, smallholders, self-sufficiency folks, gardening and foraging readers, nature lovers, and similar.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest is a well illustrated field guide to the mushrooms of the PNW written by Dr. Steve Trudell. Originally published in 2009, this revised and updated edition is due out 25th Oct 2022 from Timber Press. It's 416 pages and will be available in flexibound format in this edition.
Amateur mycologists, wanderers, forages, and lovers of nature will enjoy this well photographed and scientifically correct field guide specifically aimed at the Pacific northwest. Graphically the book is full of clear color photos which will help with ID and location. The field guide sections contain many color photos of each species including closeups and at different stages of development. The author also does a good job of explaining the *differences* between look-alike species to help with positive ID. Each entry includes the name, the binomial (Latin) name (including an English translation of the Latin), common name(s), identifying descriptions, look-alikes, and some taste/smell descriptors.
The entries are arranged logically and thematically: Gilled mushrooms are further divided into light and dark spored species (with a good general guide on spore printing and the life cycle of various fungi), club/coral/fan fungi, polypores & crust fungi, morels false morels & elfin saddles, cup fungi, pink & brown spored gilled mushrooms, boletes, spine fungi, puffballs, jelly like fungi, and truffles and false truffles. There are useful appendices, including a glossary and a solid resource/links list for further reading as well as additional comments to the first edition, and a cross referenced index.
Five stars. Useful, with clear and specific directions. This would be a good selection for library acquisition, smallholders, self-sufficiency folks, gardening and foraging readers, nature lovers, and similar.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
November 15, 2022
Fungi are fun to find in the forest in the fall! That's the best time of year in the Pacific Northwest to go out searching for them. When you go, take this book along with you. It's an awesome guide to the variety of fungi found in our forests.
The guide is written by Steve Trudell, who is an authority on mushrooms. The book is broken down by mushroom families, so you can easily find related fungi by going to that chapter and paging through until you find one that looks like what's you've found. This is the second edition, an update to the 2009 original. It includes hundreds more photos and updated descriptions. I've got both editions and they are great field guides to have around.
The photographs are beautiful and artistic, as well as functional for identification. I love to photograph mushrooms in the fall, but I never gather them. I loved just going through this book and looking at all the beautiful photos. Each descriptive photo shows views of the gills or underside of the mushroom, as well as typical specimens growing in the field. Some are cut open to show any staining or other colors that are helpful for ID.
There is a nice key at the beginning of the book, which you can use to narrow down your search for a particular specimen. In the digital version of the book, there are quick links to take you to the relevant section of the book.
There's even a section at the end of the book for those mushrooms that just don't seem to fit into a category. These odds and ends are some of the ones that look different from a traditional mushroom, or grow on leaves, etc.
The glossary has definitions of terms that are used in the book's text, so if you need to look up a new word, it should be in there. I also like the section that has updates to the first edition. Since I've got both versions, this section is helpful to reference to see any changes or corrections that were made to the first edition book.
Overall, a great field guide that anyone living in the PNW should have. Now, go find some fall fungi in the forest!
The guide is written by Steve Trudell, who is an authority on mushrooms. The book is broken down by mushroom families, so you can easily find related fungi by going to that chapter and paging through until you find one that looks like what's you've found. This is the second edition, an update to the 2009 original. It includes hundreds more photos and updated descriptions. I've got both editions and they are great field guides to have around.
The photographs are beautiful and artistic, as well as functional for identification. I love to photograph mushrooms in the fall, but I never gather them. I loved just going through this book and looking at all the beautiful photos. Each descriptive photo shows views of the gills or underside of the mushroom, as well as typical specimens growing in the field. Some are cut open to show any staining or other colors that are helpful for ID.
There is a nice key at the beginning of the book, which you can use to narrow down your search for a particular specimen. In the digital version of the book, there are quick links to take you to the relevant section of the book.
There's even a section at the end of the book for those mushrooms that just don't seem to fit into a category. These odds and ends are some of the ones that look different from a traditional mushroom, or grow on leaves, etc.
The glossary has definitions of terms that are used in the book's text, so if you need to look up a new word, it should be in there. I also like the section that has updates to the first edition. Since I've got both versions, this section is helpful to reference to see any changes or corrections that were made to the first edition book.
Overall, a great field guide that anyone living in the PNW should have. Now, go find some fall fungi in the forest!
September 26, 2022
Steve Trudell is an inspiring authority on the favourite subject of many foragers, fungi. This new edition packed to the gills with loads of new photographs and nomenclature is like candy for those like me who are nuts about nature and foraging for and identifying fungi. Though the geographical focus is the Pacific Northwest, the information within is invaluable regardless where you live (I don't live anywhere near the area but suck up fungi information like a Scarletina bolete absorbs rain). My favourite foraging area (including the prized white truffle) is in Central/Southern Europe and there are many, many mentions of (true or otherwise) fungi found outside the PNW for comparison. As the proverb goes, "All mushrooms are edible, some only once". This field guide tackles myths and misconceptions, promotes safety, increases knowledge and encourages the pure joy of being immersed in nature.
There is so much to love about this book including a layout which makes sense out in the field, newest updated information, science, what fungi actually are and how they reproduce, habitats, details about lookalikes (especially what to avoid), anecdotes, descriptions of aromas and flavours and various photographic angles to make identification surer. In short, it is intoxicating, definitive and amazing. How thrilling to learn about new-to-you fungi! If this doesn't get you foraging, nothing will.
From those who having a passing interest to those who are rabid fungi fanatics to experts alike, this edition is unmissable. When it is published I will happily and proudly add to my ever-expanding fungi library.
My sincere thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for the privilege of poring over this stellar field guide. At the moment it is raining outside and I can practically hear the mycelia calling me!
There is so much to love about this book including a layout which makes sense out in the field, newest updated information, science, what fungi actually are and how they reproduce, habitats, details about lookalikes (especially what to avoid), anecdotes, descriptions of aromas and flavours and various photographic angles to make identification surer. In short, it is intoxicating, definitive and amazing. How thrilling to learn about new-to-you fungi! If this doesn't get you foraging, nothing will.
From those who having a passing interest to those who are rabid fungi fanatics to experts alike, this edition is unmissable. When it is published I will happily and proudly add to my ever-expanding fungi library.
My sincere thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for the privilege of poring over this stellar field guide. At the moment it is raining outside and I can practically hear the mycelia calling me!
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June 15, 2022Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
tl;dr
An incredibly useful, easily searchable guide for foragers complete with great photos and detailed information.
About
A field guide to mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest with photos, illustrations, and detailed descriptions of 493 different mushrooms.
Thoughts
I have often found myself staring at a random mushroom I see in the wild and wondering how I'd even go about figuring out what kind it is. If you share the same curiosity I do, then this book is your new friend. Like most guides, it includes details on mushrooms along with information and how to spot them. Illustrations are sparse, with most mushrooms depicted with competent photos taken at the harvest site. But more than being a long list to get lost in, the book includes a "choose your adventure"-style search tree to help you narrow down which chapter you should be looking through - quite a boon for newbies with no idea where to start looking. I also appreciated the chapter at the front packed with advice for foragers on how to get started, techniques for storage and identification, and best ways to protect both nature and self. A great resource for anyone in the PNW who wants to forage, or who's just curious.
tl;dr
An incredibly useful, easily searchable guide for foragers complete with great photos and detailed information.
About
A field guide to mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest with photos, illustrations, and detailed descriptions of 493 different mushrooms.
Thoughts
I have often found myself staring at a random mushroom I see in the wild and wondering how I'd even go about figuring out what kind it is. If you share the same curiosity I do, then this book is your new friend. Like most guides, it includes details on mushrooms along with information and how to spot them. Illustrations are sparse, with most mushrooms depicted with competent photos taken at the harvest site. But more than being a long list to get lost in, the book includes a "choose your adventure"-style search tree to help you narrow down which chapter you should be looking through - quite a boon for newbies with no idea where to start looking. I also appreciated the chapter at the front packed with advice for foragers on how to get started, techniques for storage and identification, and best ways to protect both nature and self. A great resource for anyone in the PNW who wants to forage, or who's just curious.
June 22, 2022
Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest, Revised 2nd Edition - 4 Stars
I was interested in this book for two reasons. My family goes on a winter hike series every winter, and we always take pictures of mushrooms to look up later. This book seems perfect for identifying unknown mushrooms. Secondly, I love water coloring different varieties of mushrooms. I find it so relaxing and this book provides many reference pictures.
Some mushrooms are so strange, odd, cool, or vibrant. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest would be great for hikers, foragers, or answering curious children's/scouts' questions. What really makes this book shine is its beautiful photography & information on over 493 types of mushrooms.
What I didn't like was, at times, the author provided too much information, using complex scientific classification names. At times, it is overwhelming. I prefer bullet points, sticky notes or fun facts, to break up the text, making the reading less dry.
Thank you, NetGalley and Timber Press, for providing me with a digital ARC of an honest review.
I was interested in this book for two reasons. My family goes on a winter hike series every winter, and we always take pictures of mushrooms to look up later. This book seems perfect for identifying unknown mushrooms. Secondly, I love water coloring different varieties of mushrooms. I find it so relaxing and this book provides many reference pictures.
Some mushrooms are so strange, odd, cool, or vibrant. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest would be great for hikers, foragers, or answering curious children's/scouts' questions. What really makes this book shine is its beautiful photography & information on over 493 types of mushrooms.
What I didn't like was, at times, the author provided too much information, using complex scientific classification names. At times, it is overwhelming. I prefer bullet points, sticky notes or fun facts, to break up the text, making the reading less dry.
Thank you, NetGalley and Timber Press, for providing me with a digital ARC of an honest review.
June 22, 2022
Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest, Revised 2nd Edition-4 Stars
I was interested in this book for two reasons. My family goes on a winter hike series every winter, and we always take pictures of mushrooms to look up later. This book seems perfect for identifying unknown mushrooms. Secondly, I love water coloring different varieties of mushrooms. I find it so relaxing and this book provides many reference pictures.
Some mushrooms are so strange, odd, cool, or vibrant. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest would be great for hikers, foragers, or answering curious children's/scouts' questions. What really makes this book shine is its beautiful photography & information on over 493 types of mushrooms.
What I didn't like was, at times, the author provided too much information, using complex scientific classification names. At times, it is overwhelming. I prefer bullet points, sticky notes or fun facts, to break up the text, making the reading less dry.
Thank you, NetGalley and Timber Press, for providing me with a digital ARC of an honest review.
I was interested in this book for two reasons. My family goes on a winter hike series every winter, and we always take pictures of mushrooms to look up later. This book seems perfect for identifying unknown mushrooms. Secondly, I love water coloring different varieties of mushrooms. I find it so relaxing and this book provides many reference pictures.
Some mushrooms are so strange, odd, cool, or vibrant. Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest would be great for hikers, foragers, or answering curious children's/scouts' questions. What really makes this book shine is its beautiful photography & information on over 493 types of mushrooms.
What I didn't like was, at times, the author provided too much information, using complex scientific classification names. At times, it is overwhelming. I prefer bullet points, sticky notes or fun facts, to break up the text, making the reading less dry.
Thank you, NetGalley and Timber Press, for providing me with a digital ARC of an honest review.
September 28, 2022
This is less of a forager's guide and more of a scientific look into mushrooms. A lot of the times edibility is listed as unknown, but you are given detailed explanations of what you're looking for and pictures. Pictures are fantastically done, in full color, and show you many very interesting mushrooms. Even though I wanted to use this as a guide to what mushrooms to pick, I will now be flipping through it to look at the pictures, and get some backstory on mushrooms. Taking it from a 5 to 4 star only because they don't list every mushroom as being specifically poisonous or not.
December 3, 2022
If you can take your eyes off the stunning photographs, you'll discover a wildly informative guide to the fascinating world of fungi. Don't let the gorgeous presentation fool you - this book is PACKED with information. It would be a fantastic, and invaluable resource for anyone who is curious about those strange and unusual works of art found growing all around us.
Highly recommended.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for sharing this beautiful book.
Highly recommended.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for sharing this beautiful book.
January 1, 2023
This was my first Mushroom ID book. It has some useful information, though it is written in one paragraph and not separated into easy to see categories like "Cap, stipe," etc. Which I found hard to use compared to many others.
April 12, 2021
The number of species is bond boggling, and identification is not easy in most cases.,
October 7, 2021
Too big to be a take along guide in a backpack but taking a photo and finding It in the book later is great. Clear photos and excellent information.
October 13, 2021
Good guide if you already have a basis in mushroom foraging and are versed in some of the jargon. Has good keys for common species found in the pacific northwest
January 30, 2023
Great information on mushrooms.
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October 3, 2014Information is dry, but hey it's a field guide. I really can't imagine needing more information about local mushrooms. Tons of colour pictures and drawings. Now I need to find time to head into the forest!
December 9, 2011
Beautiful photographs, great information.
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September 10, 2011very good....
May 9, 2012
(5.9.12) Is this a goodreads sort of book? Whatever, I spend a lot of time reading it.
December 25, 2012
Got it to identify all the shrooms that pop up around the yard late fall early winter here in the gray, wet, dank, rainy, drippy, cloudy, misty, mossy, soggy--but otherwise lovely--Olympic Peninsula.
September 11, 2013
Good reference.
December 23, 2013
An indispensable guidebook for the Pacific Northwest! Specifically western Washington, though most of the mushrooms are the same all along the west coast.
December 31, 2022
Fantastic book.🙂
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews