Of the lower 48 states, those in the West have the most diverse landscape. Within their borders lie the tallest mountain (Mt. Whitney at 14,494 feet) and the lowest point (Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level). Rain forests, deserts, volcanoes, foothills, valleys, and thousands of miles of coastline create microclimates that affect the types of mushrooms found and when they appear. Fall and winter are the best seasons for mushroom hunting along the coast and in the foothills. Mushroom clubs in the Pacific Northwest and in northern California often schedule their coastal forays during October through January, months...

The definition ofspeciesis a highly debated subject. One commonly used definition is “an aggregate of interbreeding individuals,” which in practice is difficult to determine in fungi. Today, the definition commonly includes a component that describes genetic isolation from other species. In addition, some mycologists insist that a definition of a fungus species include a description of a unique habitat or ecological role, which helps characterize the individuality of a species.

Like other mushroom guides, this one organizes species by observable characteristics, such as the presence of platelike gills, pores, and spines. The convenience of gross morphology facilitates identification,...

Why sketch or paint pictures of mushrooms when photography is quicker and easier, and a macro lens captures exceptional detail? Mushroomers sketch in order to see and to remember. Drawing captures the critical features of a thing, its purity and individuality, what sets it apart from other things (pp. 424–425). With photography, there is the risk of paying more attention to technology than to what you see. To paraphrase John Norwich in his book Venice in Old Photographs, “In an ideal world it would surely be illegal to photograph anything without having looked at it for at least five...