Description

A fascinating collection of mushroom lore, interesting facts, and delightful discussion on the breath and scope of fungi. An engaging read, we highly recommend this book for any mushroom lover. Makes a great gift!

From the back cover:

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, microscopic organisms so prevalent in nature that there may be as much as a ton of fungi per vegetated acre. Mycophilia examines the vast diversity of fungi in our world – and the equally singular individuals who populate the world devoted to the study, pursuit, and appreciation of mushrooms in their nearly infinite variety.

Did you know…

• That, evolutionarily speaking, fungi are related more closely to us than to plants?
• That the most expensive food in the world is a mushroom?
• That wild mushroom harvesting in the USA is estimated to be the country’s largest legal cash business?
• That our best medicines – and worst diseases – are derived from fungi?
• That the white button, cremini, and portobello are all actually the same species of mushroom?
• That the controlled use of “magic mushrooms” has been shown to help patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, cluster headaches, and depression?
• That fungi are the second largest group of organisms after insects, with 1.5 million species of which only 5 percent have been described?
• That, if it weren’t for fungi, there might not be any fossil fuels?