Product Description

" With its dense forests and plentiful rainfall, West Virginia and the rest of the Central Appalachian region is an almost perfect habitat for hundreds of varieties of wild mushrooms. For the mushroom hunter, this vast bounty provides sheer delight and considerable challenge, for every outdoor excursion offers the chance of finding a mushroom not previously encountered. For both the seasoned mycologist and the novice mushroom hunter, Mushrooms of West Virginia and the Central Appalachians serves as a solid introduction s of the region. Some 400 species are described and illustrated with the author's own stunning color photographs, and many more are discussed in the text. Detailed mushroom descriptions assure confident identifications. Each species account includes remarks about edibility and extensive commentary to help distinguish similar species. A comprehensive glossary of specialized mycological terms is provided.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #282322 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 536 pages

Review
"Clear, concise, and accurate. Will appeal to beginners and to seasoned mushroom gatherers." -- Don Yeltman

Review

"Includes 400 full color photographs showing the distinctive features of each species in their natural habitats. Each photo includes a text that describes the mushroom, tells its common and scientific names, discusses look-alike species and whether or not it might make you sick.-- Dominion (WV) Post" -- Dominion (WV) Post

"Anyone, experienced or amateur, who is interested in collecting mushrooms and related fungi in the eastern US should purchase this book. Even those who already have mushroom books should buy it, as it includes many species of fungi not usually found in similar books.-- Native Plants" -- Native Plants

"The most striking attribute of the book is the high quality of the photographs that illustrate all of the species included. Virtually all of them were photographed in their natural habitat with all of the important macroscopic characteristics shown. The exceptionally good color reproduction will greatly facilitate identification by amateurs and professionals alike.-- Choice" -- Choice

"The author displays an excellent grasp of current scholarshipÂ…His presentation is detailed, while engaging, and entertaining throughoutÂ…descriptions are clear, concise, and accurateÂ….This book will appeal to beginners and also seasoned mushroom gatherers.-- Don Yeltman" -- Don Yeltman

"An impressive new field guide.... Certainly one of the most thorough books available on this subject, and its generous use of color photography, clear organization, and succinct writing make it one of the most user friendly.-- Goldenseal" -- Goldenseal

"A first-rate field guide.... A 'must' for all mushrooming in the Appalachians, and will be required by all concerned with the identification, distribution, and ecology of macromycetologists in North America.-- Mycotaxon" -- Mycotaxon

"A splendid book. These folks are thorough, and Bill's book is evidence of their dedication and persistence.-- Paul Goland" -- Paul Goland

"An excellent guide.-- West Virginia" -- West Virginia

"Includes 400 full color photographs showing the distinctive features of each species in their natural habitats. Each photo includes a text that describes the mushroom, tells its common and scientific names, discusses look-alike species and whether or not it might make you sick.-- Dominion (WV) Post" -- Dominion (WV) Post

"Anyone, experienced or amateur, who is interested in collecting mushrooms and related fungi in the eastern US should purchase this book. Even those who already have mushroom books should buy it, as it includes many species of fungi not usually found in similar books.-- Native Plants" -- Native Plants

"The most striking attribute of the book is the high quality of the photographs that illustrate all of the species included. Virtually all of them were photographed in their natural habitat with all of the important macroscopic characteristics shown. The exceptionally good color reproduction will greatly facilitate identification by amateurs and professionals alike.-- Choice" -- Choice

"The author displays an excellent grasp of current scholarshipÂ…His presentation is detailed, while engaging, and entertaining throughoutÂ…descriptions are clear, concise, and accurateÂ….This book will appeal to beginners and also seasoned mushroom gatherers.-- Don Yeltman" -- Don Yeltman

"An impressive new field guide.... Certainly one of the most thorough books available on this subject, and its generous use of color photography, clear organization, and succinct writing make it one of the most user friendly.-- Goldenseal" -- Goldenseal

"A first-rate field guide.... A 'must' for all mushrooming in the Appalachians, and will be required by all concerned with the identification, distribution, and ecology of macromycetologists in North America.-- Mycotaxon" -- Mycotaxon

"A splendid book. These folks are thorough, and Bill's book is evidence of their dedication and persistence.-- Paul Goland" -- Paul Goland

"An excellent guide.-- West Virginia" -- West Virginia

About the Author
William C. Roody is a seasonal biologist with the West Virginia Wildlife Diversity Program at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Customer Reviews

One of the Best Mushroom Field Guides Ever!
I live in New York State and have been collecting mushrooms for years - edible and otherwise. I already own just about every other field guide to identifying mushrooms and other fungi, so when I saw this book for sale, I thought "do I really need another?" Well, it turns out I did. This book is fabulous! The pictures are first rate, and sometimes provide identifying detail that pictures in other books do not. While the "regulars" are there (mushrooms you find illustrated in almost every field guide) it also contains pictures of mushrooms that are common but not regularly pictured in other field guides. Consequently, it allowed me to solve a lot of long-standing "mushroom mysteries" in my backyard. The book contains longer than average "comments" on each species, often providing fascinating information. I highly recommend ths book!

Excellent Book
I live in Tennessee. I own about 40 mushroom books and this one is my favorite. It is great to have a book for identification that covers mushrooms found in the south so well. The pictures are excellent. Roody lists possible look-alikes in many of the excellent, detailed descriptions. He also comments on the edibility of each species. Should be an excellent book for beginners and seasoned mushroom hunters alike. Highly recommended.

Finally
After a decade of waiting for this book, I am certainly not disappointed. As an avid mushroom hunter, I have to say that this is the best field guide I have found.