Book Review: Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest (3rd edition) by Teresa Marrone and Kathy Yerich

Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest
by Teresa Marrone and Kathy Yerich (579.6 Mar)

For several years, my wife and I have had unpleasant infestations of thousands of large, ugly mushrooms under the Mountain Ash tree in our front yard, and I’ve been curious to learn more about the particular species of mushroom we’ve had to deal with. I had a found a few things online but wasn’t trusting that the information was completely accurate. So…when I saw this book on the New Books display at the downtown library, I grabbed it — hoping that it would help me identify my annual nemesis.

Not only did it quickly answer my ongoing question — the Ash Bolete (page 184), but I found numerous other mushrooms identified throughout the book, which I’ve personally seen on walks and hikes, both here in Nebraska and in the mountains of Colorado. The book opens with a section dealing with broad information about all types of mushrooms, then the majority of the book is broken down into ten mushroom categories. Each unique mushroom is given a two-page spread — the first page is a detailed description of the mushroom, and the second is photographic examples. The descriptions include things like: Habitat, physical Description, Spore Print, Season it can be found, Other Names (including the scientific identification), Compare (details distinguishing each from similar mushrooms), and miscellaneous notes.

Poisonous and/or inedible mushrooms are clearly identified — in the case of poisonous, there’s a skull&crossbones. In the case of mushrooms that are prized by cooks, there are notes to that effect.

The back of the book includes a bibliography to related resources, an extensive glossary of terminology used throughout the book, and a large index. According to the introduction, this book covers “the upper midwest”, including North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. However, I’ve already identified at least a dozen or more mushroom species here in the Lincoln area. I may buy this one myself!.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Field Guide to Mushrooms by the National Audubon Society, Mushrooms & Other Fungi of the Midcontinental United States by D.M. Huffman, L.H. Tiffany and G. Knaphus or Weeds of Nebraska and the Great Plains by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.]

[ official Teresa Marrone Twitter feed ] | [ official web site of Kathy Yerich, mushroom enthusiast ]

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library – Public Service

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Staff Recommendation - Plants That Merit Attention, Volume II: Shrubs

Plants That Merit Attention, Volume II: Shrubs
by the Garden Club of America [635.976 qGar]

This book is an extremely valuable reference source for anyone who is trying to decide which shrubs to plant. The pictures are helpful in providing the reader with an idea of the plants proportions to other trees and structures. There are also up close pictures of the flowers and berries for the shrubs. The text provides a comprehensive description of the plant and its uses in the landscape, as well as its wildlife attractions. What sets this book apart from the others is its listing of the botanical gardens where the individual plants can be seen. The University of Nebraska is listed among those gardens. If a plant is listed as being at the University of Nebraska you can call the UNL Landscaping Department and ask where the shrub is located so you can view it in its natural surroundings. For those gardeners who like to make informed decisions, this book is the one to read. -- recommended by Patty L. - Walt Branch Library

[ official Garden Club of America web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.