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Seven Essential Reference Books

  • Largent, David L. (1986). How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus I: Macroscopic Features. 3rd Edition. Eureka, CA: Mad River Press. 166p.
      This book will teach you to understand all of the technical terms used in descriptions of the macroscopic features of mushrooms. "Plicate", "imbricate", "mycenoid", "lubricous" and all those other terms clearly explained. Included a section on generic descriptions based on macroscopic features.
  • Largent, David L., David Johnson and Roy Watling (1977). How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus III: Microscopic Features. Eureka, CA: Mad River Press. 148p.
      This is the companion volume to volume 1, above. This one explains the microscopic features of mushrooms and the terms used to describe the features. "Pileipellis", "laticiferous hyphae", "gloeocystidia" and all those other terms clearly explained. Includes invaluable chapters on laboratory techniques and chemical reagents.
  • Hawksworth, D. L., P. M. Kirk, B. C. Sutton and D. N. Pegler (1995). Ainsworth & Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi. 8th Edition. Oxon, England: CAB International. 616p.
      The most complete listing of generic names with citations, status, number of species, distribution, and key references. Included extensive definitions of mycological terms and a hierarchical classification of the fungi.
  • Ulloa, Miguel and Richard T. Hanlin (2000). Illustrated Dictionary of Mycology. St. Paul, MN: APS Press. 448p.
      Definitions of over 3,800 mycological terms, illustrated with over 770 black and white photographs and over 540 drawings.
  • Singer, Rolf (1986). The Agaricales in Modern Taxonomy. Koenigstein, Germany: Koeltz Scientific Books. 981p.
      This is the "bible" of Agaricology (the study of gilled mushrooms and boletes). A thousand pages of detailed discussion of the families, genera, and species of the Agaricales.
  • Largent, David L. and Timothy Baroni (1988). How to Identify Mushrooms to Genus VI: Modern Genera. Eureka, CA: Mad River Press. 277p.
      A simpler explanation of modern genera than the Singer book. Includes keys to families and genera, generic descriptions, and a synopsis of families and genera.
  • Watling, Roy and Ann Elizabeth Watling (1980). A Literature Guide for Identifying Mushrooms. Eureka, CA: Mad River Press. 121p.
      Although this is 20 years old, it is an essential reference to the literature for identifying mushrooms.