Literature and resources for general fungi
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Just a quick heads up for those who may not yet be aware: – Fungi of Temperate Europe. 2 volumes. – Thomas Læssøe. and Jens H.Petersen. – Princeton University Press, 2019. 
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Publisher’s Description: –” Fungi of Temperate Europe is one of the most comprehensive mycological guides ever published. Featuring more than 7,000 photographs, this lavish two-volume set treats more than 2,800 species of fungi across the region.
Including agarics, boletes, chanterelles and morels but also more obscure groups such as cyphelloids, cup fungi, pyrenomycetous fungi and hysterioids, this guide takes an unprecedentedly broad approach to communicating fungal diversity. All species are illustrated with one or more photographs and information is given on morphology, ecology and distribution within temperate Europe. Furthermore, 1,500+ species are discussed as potential look-alikes. The books are divided into eighty “form groups,” each starting with an innovative comparison wheel with guiding photos, distinguishing characteristics and drawings of essential microscopic features. Poisonous and edible species are colour coded within the text”.
Having just bought a copy, I can say that this is something of a masterpiece!
The book has an “official” price tag of £95.00, but currently, is readily available at just over £60.00 from a number of sellers.
Obviously, the book includes many species that aren’t (yet?) found in Britain, but a great many are, and from my initial browsing, I already think it was worth every penny!
The two volumes contain over 1700 pages between them, and as might be expected, the content is very extensive. Superb photographs throughout, and with what I would say is informative but not overly technical description for each included species.
Size-wise, the books are approximately 28.5cm tall and 20cm wide. (Very similar in page size to Fungi of Switzerland).
The two volumes together measure about 9cm across the spines, and the set weighs in at above 5Kg.
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The numerous “identification Wheels” offer a novel and useful approach to rapid identification of genera, and it is worth noting that they are all available as a free PDF Download from the MycoKey website (download link below).http://www.mycokey.com/Downloads/FungiOfTemperateEurope_Wheels.pdf NB: at over 180 megabytes, it is a very large download – so be prepared!
Note also that there appears to be an error in the PDF, in that the Boletes section is missing – but it is complete in all other respects.
(I have emailed Jens Peterson in case he was not aware of the problem, asking if the PDF might be revised to include the missing content).
Regards,
Mike.
Another heads up. – For another mighty tome! “Fungi – by Andy Overall” (Assisted by Geoffrey Kibby).
[attachment=1]Fungi – Andy Overall.jpg[/attachment] [attachment=0]Fungi – Andy Overall.jpg[/attachment]
Self-published, but available from various sellers from about £53.00567 pages. – Approximately 30 x 21 x 4cm. – And weighing in at about 2.4kg.
For the most part in a similar layout style to Fungi of Switzerland, but with a broad spectrum across the many included genera, all in the one volume. – Three species described on left hand page, with three species photographs on right hand page.
Like most single volume books, it can only show a small percentage of what is out there, but what is included is informative and well thought out.
My copy came with a stuck in errata sheet containing corrections for 13 errors, but once noted and identified on their respective pages, these don’t detract from the books usefulness.
Author’s product description: –
“This book is a large (A4-size) photographic reference guide to the mushrooms and toadstools of parks, gardens, heaths and woodlands of Great Britain and Europe. Though the vast majority of fungi illustrated in this book have been recorded from, and can be encountered in the Greater London Area, many species appear in urban areas across Britian. Over 750 species are described and photographed in full colour, many including photographs of microscopic details. The description with each entry gives scientific nomenclature, including synonyms where applicable, and the vernacular name; a short description of the typical habitat; a description of the macroscopic features, such as the cap, gills, stem, ring, flesh, and the mushroom’s smell and taste; a description of microscopic features, such as spores, spore print, basidia and cystidia; and a section with notes on confusion species or unique features. Several families feature a full-page general introduction. The introductory chapters cover the classification, identification and biology of fungi, with a helpful pictorial key to the main groups of fungi. This book is an essential tool for those working within conservation and ecology of urban environments, and for both beginners and seasoned field mycologists”.Overall, (no pun intended!), I’d say that it would be a worthwhile book to have in anyone’s mycological library.
Regards,
Mike.
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