The Encyclopedia of Mushrooms

Colin Dickinson and John Lucas

Published by Orbis , hardcover with dustjacket , illustrated
dustjacket damaged.

The mushroom has long been a thing of mystery. It is a traditional feature of fairy tale, a centuries-old prop of magie rites, and has even achieved the status of a god. Fungi, however, deserve a more substantial reputation. They are served as delicacies in famous restaurants and form the basis of the most important antibiotic drug. Without them we could not eat our daily bread, nor enjoy our wine and beer.

Despite their importance, little is known about these strange plants. The Encyclopedia of Mushrooms opens this fascinating world to the general reader more completely than ever before. A clear and straightforward text, accompanied by superb colour illustrations, introduces the absorbing history and biology of fungi. Strongly practical sections on habitat, collection and cooking are designed to help the mushroom-hunter and the cook know where and when to look for specimens, how to pick them and the most rewarding ways of preparing and cooking the edible species. There are important chapters on poisonous mushrooms and an invaluable, wide-ranging reference section enabling the reader to identify and classify particular species at a glance. A Glossary, Bibliography and Index complete the text.

The Encyclopedia of Mushrooms is a combination of field guide, natural history encyclopedia and cookery book, a unique treatment making it the most useful and entertaining work yet on an increasingly popular subject.