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Mushroom Resources

We consider the following books, websites, and online journals to be the best resources in their class for mushroom taxonomists in Alaska. Many of them are also useful across the West Coast and the continent in general.

Mushrooms of Cascadia, Siegel & Schwarz

Mushrooms of Cascadia, Siegel & Schwarz (Noah Siegel and Christian Schwarz) Mushrooms of Cascadia is a book for every mushroomer — from beginners to professionals alike. Everything you need to learn to recognize and identify mushrooms across the Pacific Northwest lies within these pages. Featuring comprehensive coverage of common and conspicuous species, delicious edibles and toxic look-alikes, and rarities and regional specialties, this user-friendly reference covers the whole spectrum of macrofungal diversity in the American northwest. With fully-illustrated treatments of over 750 species and references to hundreds more, tips on mushroom collecting, descriptions of habitats and bioregions, and up-to-date taxonomy, this book represents the state of the art. Each species profile features stunning photography combined with an in-depth description, as well as notes on ecology, edibility, toxicity, and similar species.

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Mushrooms of Cascadia, Beug

Mushrooms of Cascadia (Michael Beug) Covers coastal Alaska to central California, inland to Idaho, with an emphasis on the mushrooms of Cascadia. Keys to over 3,000 species, with photos of over 1000 species. Over 1090 color photographs. For each species the combination of pictures, keys and comments will provide you with all of the critical features needed for identification, plus the range, fruiting time, habitat and edibility.

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Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest

Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest (Steve Trudell and Joe Ammirati) This excellent field guide features beautiful photos and brief descriptions of over 490 species of mushrooms considered by the authors to be “the regions most conspicuous, distinctive, interesting, and ecologically important”. Most species in this field guide occur along Alaska’s southern coasts, making this a must have field guide for Southern Alaska.

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Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast

Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast helps beginning and experienced mushroom hunters alike find and identify mushrooms. Common and conspicuous species, delicious edibles, toxic and deadly species, and distinctive rarities are all covered in this user-friendly reference, which covers the diversity found in coastal California from Monterey County to the Oregon border. With full treatments of more than 750 species, and references to hundreds more, tips on mushroom collecting, descriptions of specific habitats and bio-zones, updated taxonomy, and stunning photography, this book is the most modern and comprehensive guide to mushrooms in the region. Each species profile pairs a photograph with an in-depth description, as well as notes on ecology, edibility, toxicity, and look-alike species. Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast is an indispensable book for anyone curious about fungi.

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The Alaskan Mushroom Hunter’s Guide

The Alaskan Mushroom Hunter’s Guide First published in 1977 The Alaskan Mushroom Hunter’s Guide (Ben Guild) includes watercolor illustrations and descriptions of 101 common mushrooms found in Alaska. Huge advances in taxonomy have rendered many of the species names outdated or inaccurate, however this field guide remains a great reference to add to any Alaskan mushroom enthusiast’s bookshelf.

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Mushrooms of Alaska’s National Forests

Mushrooms of Alaska’s National Forests (Steve Trudell, Kate Mohatt, and Karen Dillman) This booklet offers photographs and descriptions of 51 species of mushrooms commonly found in Southern Alaska. It can be found online or hard copies are available at most US Forest Service offices in Alaska for FREE!

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Mushrooms of the Boreal Forest

Mushrooms of the Boreal Forest (Eugene F. Bossenmaier) This University of Saskatchewan field guide includes over 200 species with color photographs and descriptions arranged by major groups. Many species in this field guide are unique to boreal forests, commonly found in Alaska, and not found in other field guides. The below link goes to a companion website which includes an online key developed by the late author.

Visit Mushrooms of the Boreal Forest Companion Website

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Mushrooms Demystified

Mushrooms Demystified David Arora's classic text sets the standard for mushroom field guides, and remains unsurpassed. The depth and breadth of this book combined with the quality of descriptions really set it apart. It is very clear that Arora is more familiar with the species that he writes about than anyone else was at the time. Although most of the photos are in black and white (and many species are not illustrated) and the taxonomy and nomenclature are now very dated, it's easy to cross-reference the information in this book with more up-to-date sources online; this is still absolutely required text for mushroom identification enthusiasts of any level. Although it covers all groups of macrofungi across the United States and Canada, its focus is centered on agarics and boletes, and on central California and the west in general.

The writing is clear, entertaining, and thoughtful. This book is a treasure, and an absolute must-have.

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All that the Rain Promises and More

All that the Rain Promises and More David Arora's second publication, this pocket-sized field guide features all color photographs, but covers far fewer species than its bigger brother, Mushrooms Demystified. The coverage is also less local, meaning that more users across the country will get some use out of it, but a user in any given area will find many species in the woods that are not covered in the book, and vice versa. Even though it may be of relatively limited taxonomic use, this book has a unique place in a mushroomer's library due to its profiles of mycophiles and interesting tales, tidbits, and outright works of fiction regarding mushroom culture.

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