FASCINATED BY FUNGI. EXPLORING THE HISTORY, MYSTERY, FACTS AND FICTION OF THE UNDERWORLD KINGDOM OF MUSHROOMS. By Pat O. Reilly.

(2011) 2022 2nd edition reprint. 8vo (152 x 216mm). Pp448. Colour photographs throughout, brief bibliography. Pictorial laminated boards, issued without a dust-wrapper.

A new reprint of the 2nd edition of Pat O'Reilly's splendid field guide. Extremely thorough and very well illustrated with photographs by the author, as he takes us, more or less literally, to look at one species after another. O'Reilly is extremely good on the habitats in which each species lives, and the plant species associated with them - the book shows you how to identify the habitat first, including the appropriate grasses, flowers or trees, and then the fungus in question. Related subjects such as taxonomy and nomenclature are also usefully discussed, as is a species' palatability or otherwise, where appropriate, and the odd recipe. Chapters include: Kingdom of the underworld; Breeding habits and feeding habits; Wood, trees and woodlands; Friends of the forest - ectomycorrhizal fungi; Tree parasites and other hangers-on; The rest of the rotters; Grass, grasses and grasslands; Grassland fungi; Mushrooms on the margin; Forays for food, fun and photography; Glossary of mycological terms; Meaning of scientific names of fungi species; Citation of mycological authorities; Other fungi information sources; Scientific names; Common names. An excellent book which must surely become a classic. Possibly the only work which can sit comfortably next to Roger Phillips' Mushrooms.