I am underwhelmed with my first foraging book, “Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada” by David L. Spahr. The book’s quality is high. No complaints there, but given that I live in New England and my very first mushroom expedition resulted in TWO edible mushrooms [the Birch Polypore (Fomitopsis betulina) and the American Caesar (Amanita Jacksonii) ], neither of which is rare and neither of which is included in the book, I’m a little disappointed.
I know that there are a lot of mushrooms, but these two are, from what I’m now reading, quite common. It makes me wonder how many others the book missed.
For those of you who are still interested in Spahr’s book, it covers: Chanterelle, Small Chanterelles, Black Trumpets, Hedgehog Mushrooms, Horse Mushroom, Meadow Mushroom, Parasol Mushroom, Shaggy Mane, Matsutake, Blewit, Oyster Mushrooms, King Bolete, Two-colored Bolete, Maitake, Chicken of the Woods, Dryad’s Saddle, Yellow Morels, Black Morels, Puffballs, Lobster Mushrooms, Aborted Entoloma, Reisha, Artist’s Conk, Turkey Tail and Chaga. Each of these is covered as a chapter – so there’s a lot of detail and really great photos. In the interest of fairness, I should also point out that many of the above are multiple species.
Meanwhile, Amazon.com has been quick to make six new book recommendations (see images below). But it will be a while. I’d like to have something that is more comprehensive – of the New England edible mushrooms, anyway – and will seek recommendations before buying again.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by
Decomposed.