RESOURCES AND FAQS

This list of our favorite resources and answers to frequently asked questions will develop over time.

BOOKS

While more difficult to keep updated with the very latest research, physical books are hard to beat for depth of information and ability to reference when in the field.

FIELD GUIDES/REFERENCES

North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi by Orson Miller and Hope Miller: This is the field guide we have used during our mushroom identification classes. Orson and Hope Miller were longtime members of SIMA and made invaluable contributions to the field of mycology the world over.

Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest by Steve Trudell and Joe Ammirati: Steve Trudell has been our foray mycologist several times. A second edition revised and updated by Steve Trudell came out in October 2022; it is an excellent companion to the first edition, comprising several hundred additional species and updates to photographs of species that are included in both.

The Essential Guide to Rocky Mountain Mushrooms by Habitat by Cathy L. Cripps, Vera S. Evenson, and Michael Kuo: This book is unique in that it organizes mushroom species by the major habitats of our region. Identify the habitat you’re in, and you’ll have a better chance at narrowing down the species you could be looking at.

Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora: A classic tome with many identification keys and plenty of additional information. It is in need of an update, but you can search online for the latest scientific names if you narrow it down with the names in this book.

All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms by David Arora; A bite-sized version of his larger work you can fit in your pocket. Focuses on some of the most frequent macro fungi you’re likely to see in our area.

Other Mushroom Books

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake

WEBSITES

Websites are more likely to be updated on a regular basis and include links to other related information, but they’re harder to curl up with on a rainy day.

MYCOLOGY CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

The North American Mycological Association: A national mycology association with lots of information and links to local clubs.

The North Idaho Mycological Association: (NIMA) The original mycological association in Idaho – covering the northern part of the state.

MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION AND CATALOGING

Foray Materials :  McCall Foray collection Form,  Owhyee Collection form   Collection Forms for recording identified mushrooms
 Foray equipment list 

Mushroom Observer: A volunteer-run database of mushroom observations and identification. You can sort by location, observer, species and more.

Mushroom Expert: A site maintained by Michael Kuo. Great pictures and keys.

iNaturalist: “A Community for Naturalists”; another online database to record observations of flora, fauna, and fungi. Community-supported identification.  Post foray mushroom photos and findings.