Poisonous mushrooms of the northern United States and Canada /

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Ammirati, Joseph F.
Imprint:Minneapolis : University of Minnesota Press, c1985.
Description:xii, 396 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.
Language:English
Subject:Mushrooms, Poisonous -- Toxicology
Mushrooms, Poisonous -- United States -- Identification.
Mushrooms, Poisonous -- Canada -- Identification.
Mushrooms, Poisonous.
Mushrooms, Poisonous -- Toxicology.
Mycotoxicoses.
Toxigenic fungi.
Canada.
United States.
Field guides.
Format: Print Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/767027
Hidden Bibliographic Details
Other title:Poisonous mushrooms.
Other authors / contributors:Traquair, James A.
Horgen, Paul A.
ISBN:0816614075 : $75.00
Notes:Spine title: Poisonous mushrooms.
Includes bibliographies and index.
Review by Choice Review

There is such a diversity of fleshy fungi in North America, and the interest in collecting, studying, and eating them is growing at such a pace, that books on them are published with some frequency. It is noteworthy that the present authors have seen fit to give the subject a different treatment; whereas most books on mushrooms list both poisonous and edible species, this book provides a detailed treatment of the species known to cause poisonings. As such, it is the most complete treatment of these fungi in North America and one that allows the user to quickly and confidently identify species that could cause illness. (The authors are quick to point out that because a fungus is not listed does not mean that it is not poisonous.) Through chapters on macroscopic and microscopic features and introductions to the groups of fungi, the reader is introduced to the characteristics important in identifying these fungi. The fungi are arranged according to the type of toxins they possess. There are also keys to aid in their identification. Both general descriptions and technical descriptions are provided along with line drawings and well-printed color photographs. A most unusual feature is that the descriptions and illustrations are all documented with locations of actual specimens-thus observations can be verified at future dates. Clinical aspects of poisoning are not dealt with in detail, but references to such information can be found in the extensive bibliographies. Amateurs and professionals will find this book useful and those who must make decisions about the fate of those who have ingested some fungus will find this book an important one to have on hand.-D.H. Pfister, Harvard University

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review

Portions of this book are comprehensible to informed lay readers, but professional botanists and serious amateur collectors are the main audience. Its keys to identifying poisonous fungi are organized in written flowchart style and cover observations that can be made with the eye, microscope, and chemical reagents. Opening chapters group fungi taxonomically, discussing the field's specialized vocabulary and questions of classification. Latter chapters group poisonous fungi according to their toxins, explaining chemical action and usual medical treatment. Color photos and line drawings of the species follow these identification keys. Bibliographies appear throughout the book, which has an exhaustive glossary and index. Appropriate for academic, medical, and large public libraries. Laurie Tynan, Huntingdon Cty. Lib., Pa. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review


Review by Library Journal Review