A Field Guide to Mushrooms: North America

Peterson Field Guides #34

by Kent H. McKnight, Vera B. McKnight

More than 1,000 species of mushrooms described in detail. Over 700 paintings and drawings reveal subtle field marks that cannot be captured into photographs.

Genres: Science, Reference, Nature, Field Guides, Nonfiction, Environment, Biology

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a bit of information on each type of mushroom including size, shape, odor, spore print, edibility, and distribution. It also included pictures of each. I felt like it was the perfect of amount of information for each item without feeling overwhelmed. Now with that said, one read through will definitely not make you an expert at identifying each mushroom. However, if you make this book a travel companion it will help you easily recognize more prevalent types of mushrooms upon sight. This will become a great reference guide for our homestead use.

[StevenF · Rating 3 out of 5]

It lumps in psilocybin mushrooms (barely dealt with at all) as "poisonous" and that's it. ... hmm...grinding a cultuaral ax are we ? Fix big time in next edition. . 2 stars off. Otherwise best foraging book so far.

[Juniper K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!! It’s so handy I carry it around with me everywhere I go. The illustrations are very handy and each mushroom gets a description. It describes different gills, caps, stalks, everything. It’s my favorite mushroom book

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, and is very nifty if you are out in the field. I personally, am not and just read it to learn :)

[Pastor Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the identification book that I prefer. Slowly identifying with this book and cross referencing with many others while adding comments of safety in handling and eating to this book.

[John Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting that this library book's cover had some indentations on a corner, with a written notation nearby: "Damage noted: Chipmunk chewed!" Guess that chipmunk could not find a mushroom to gnaw on, so it chewed up a mushroom book!

Descriptions of mushrooms very detailed in book, but a major shortcoming for me was that the photos are collected onto separate pages, away from the written descriptions, causing some flipping back and forth.

[Suzanna Juby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fascinating information (including close-up photographic plates in color) on various fungi that grow in North America, how to identify them, and where and when to find whatever you're looking for. Includes information on which ones are edible, poisonous or hallucinogenic, although the hallucinogens are downplayed. Haters.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. I have been interested in foraging and was looking for something more credible then online videos. This, is an excellent guide to all mushrooms edible or not. Illustrations are gorgeous. I wish there has been spore print samples though.

[Steven Monrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many to count,
not too scary.

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

I own an earlier edition. The Peterson Field guides are excellent.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A person could die without information like this.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A real reference book. Was very useful on a nature workshop I attended and will help in my nature rambles.

[Bear Paw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older book, but good reference book

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for mushrooms/fungi.

[L BZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decently pocket-sized.