Resources for Learning

Identification 

One of the rules that I have is that I limit my mushroom feasting to the mushrooms I know very well. As in 100% sure of my ability to identify the mushroom I want. When I want to learn a new one I put in oodles of time to make sure I understand how to identify it and how not to pick a look alike.

Then I proceed slowly because I was sickened by a mushroom that a friend assured me was safe to eat. And for most people, hen of the woods is safe to eat. But not me. It makes me puke.

So when you try any new wild food, and you are sure what it is, eat a very small amount to see how you react. Then wait a few days. I once gave hen of the woods a second chance, and it took two days before I vomited. But interestingly, it turns out that small amounts of hen of the woods tincture is very effective for treating nausea. Hmmm....

https://www.mssf.org/identification.html

Mushrooms Demystified, David Aurora

Mushrooms, Petersen Guides

Appalachian Mushrooms, Walter Sturgeon

There are many field guides out there, find one for your region.

Books

Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, and Cuisine

Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide, Christopher Hobbs

Fungal Pharmacy, Robert Rogers

Mycelium Running, Paul Stamets

Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms, Paul Stamets

MycoMedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Mushrooms, Paul Stamets


Education

Descriptions and Photos - http://MushroomExpert.com

https://forestry.com/guides/15-edible-wild-mushrooms/

Mushroom forum - https://mycotopia.net/

Ohio Mushroom Society - http://www.ohiomushroom.org/

Cleveland, OH - http://www.themushroomhunter.com/

Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club - http://wpamushroomclub.org/

Newsletters and Articles - https://www.shroomer.com/

Mushroom Lore

https://www.incrediblemushrooms.com/mushrooms-folklore-mythology.html

https://themushroomnetwork.com/blog/cosmic-mycelium-are-mushrooms-emissaries-from-outer-space/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panspermia

https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/ancient-civilizations-worshipped-feared-and-sacredized-mushrooms-in-myths-and-legends

https://www.mushroomcouncil.org/all-about-mushrooms/history/