Puffballs, Earthstars, Stinkhorns, and Other Gasteroid Fungi of Eastern North America

About this book

The first fully illustrated reference guide to gasteroid mushrooms in North America.

Gasteroid fungi are one of the most diverse groups of mushrooms. Unlike the majority of mushrooms that produce spores externally, these unusual fungi produce spores within their fruitbodies. Puffballs, Earthstars, Stinkhorns, and Other Gasteroid Fungi of Eastern North America is the first colour-illustrated reference guide for this unique group of fungi in North America.

Providing information for the identification of more than one hundred species, it includes keys based on macroscopic features, detailed species descriptions with both common and scientific names, accurate and beautiful colour images, and key identification features. Additionally, the book contains a plethora of useful information about the biology of gasteroid fungi, current taxonomy, mechanisms of spore dispersal, as well as fun facts. A much-needed volume from well-known mycologists Alan and Arleen Bessette, William Roody, and Dianna Smith, this comprehensive book is a must-have for all fungi enthusiasts, from mushroom hunting hobbyists to professional mycologists.

Contents

Preface
Introduction
      Geographic Area Covered by This Book
      What Are Gasteroid Fungi?
      Phylogenetic Background to Gasteroid Fungi
      The Perplexing Name Changes
      How to Use This Book
      Explanation and Use of the Keys 
Color Key to the Major Groups of Gasteroid Fungi
Species Descriptions and Illustrations
Puffballs
Earthballs
Earthstars and Similar Fungi
Bird's Nest Fungi
Stinkhorns
Miscellaneous Gasteroid Fungi 

Appendix A. Microscopic Identification
Appendix B. Chemical Reagents
Appendix C. Phylogenies of Gasteroid and Similar Fungi
Glossary
Bibliography and Resources
About the Authors
Illustration and Photography Credits
Index to Common Names
Index to Scientific Names 

Customer Reviews

Biography

Alan E. Bessette is a professional mycologist and emeritus professor of biology at Utica College of Syracuse University. He has authored or coauthored more than thirty books, including Polypores and Similar Fungi of Eastern and Central North America.

Arleen R. Bessette is a retired psychotherapist as well as a mycologist and botanical photographer who has been collecting and studying wild mushrooms for more than forty years. She has authored or coauthored several mycological papers and more than twenty books, including Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States.

William C. Roody is a mycologist and wildlife diversity biologist. He has authored or coauthored seven books, including Tricholomas of North America.

Dianna G. Smith served as the chairperson of the Committee on Medicinal Fungi for the North American Mycological Association. She is a coauthor of Polypores and Similar Fungi of Eastern and Central North America.