Best California Mushroom Guidebooks
California has thousands of species of mushrooms to learn. Having the right guidebooks will expedite your learning process. We are very lucky in California to have some incredible resources that we recommend you have in your home library if you are serious about fungi! Try to learn a few new species every time you go out to the forest.
Top Guidebooks for California:
Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast: This comprehensive guide by Noah Siegel and Christian Schwarz focuses on the unique fungal diversity of coastal Northern California, offering detailed descriptions and stunning photographs. This is Fork in the Path’s must-have #1 pick! For mycophiles who also want to learn about fungi in the Pacific Northwest region, the same authors recently published a similar guidebook for that region.
2. California Mushrooms: A definitive guide by Desjardin, Wood, and Stevens, this book provides in-depth information on over 1,100 species, making it an invaluable resource for both beginners and experienced mycologists.
3. Mushrooms Demystified: A classic by David Arora, this book is not California-specific but offers a broad understanding of fungal biology, identification, and ecology. Although many of the names are now outdated, the key in this book is still an excellent resource.
Beyond Books: Online Resources
iNaturalist: This citizen science platform allows you to photograph and share your mushroom finds, connect with other enthusiasts, and receive expert identifications. You can also feel great about contributing to a growing pool of data that is being used by scientists to better understand fruiting patterns at scale and over time. “iNat” was created by Nate Agrin, Jessica Kline, and Ken-ichi Ueda as their master’s project in 2008. Today is a widely used resource by expert mycologists and beginners alike.
MycoWeb.com: This website provides comprehensive information on various fungal groups, including extensive descriptions and images. This site is great if you are wondering “can you eat that?” as every species also has edibility info.
Mushroomexpert.com: A valuable resource with a vast database of mushroom photos, descriptions, and expert discussions created by Michael Kuo.
Why Use Guidebooks?
Accurate Identification: Guidebooks and online resources help you on your journey to learning to accurately identify mushrooms. They should be one source you check to minimize the risk of misidentification.
Safety First: Consuming misidentified mushrooms can have serious health consequences. Guidebooks and online resources emphasize the importance of proper identification and caution.
Enhanced Learning: These resources provide valuable insights into the fascinating world of fungi, including their ecology, life cycles, and ecological roles. The authors have poured their hearts and souls into bringing these resources to life, please take advantage of these incredible resources!
Remember, always prioritize safety when foraging for mushrooms. If you are unsure about the identification of a mushroom, do not consume it. If you want to take a class to learn how to safely identify and consume delicious mushrooms. Check out our upcoming programs here:
