Collins Mushroom Miscellany

Mushroom collecting is becoming increasingly popular, and while a comprehensive identification guide is essential, the folklore, facts and fables, recipes and stories that have accumulated since ancient times create part of the charm of these strange organisms. Oddly, these facts have never been compiled in one book.

Collins Mushroom Miscellany is a compilation of all of the fascinating biological facts – a mushroom holds the record for the largest spreading single organism covering nearly 3km² – the folklore – there is a widespread belief that mushrooms arise from falling stars – the uses – tree moss lichen is found in most modern perfumes – and the history – the Neolithic Ice-Man found in Europe in 1990 carried two types of fungus; one for use as tinder, but another mounted on a leather thong remains undecided.

Additionally, the book features the most widely used recipes for cooking mushrooms from around the world.

Mushroom Miscellany is a veritable treasure trove of fascinating facts – a perfect introduction to the third kingdom of fungi and an essential companion to every mushroom field guide.

About the author

After gaining his doctorate by growing grass on coal tips, Patrick Harding enjoyed over 25 years as a university lecturer. He now runs numerous courses and works with the BBC on programmes about herbal medicine, wild flowers, mushrooms, and trees. Patrick has had years of experience, lecturing and leading groups on fungal forays. He was recently filmed with Richard and Judy for a BBC 2 series.