We have become interested in mushroom growing as of late. My husband innoculated the garden with one variety of mushroom and a straw pile with another variety while I am trying to grow a medicinal mushroom inside the house.

I am the first to admit that I know absolutely nothing about mushroom identification. I figure the ones I buy in the grocery store are safe to eat. (At least I hope they are!) But when it comes to picking mushrooms in the wild, I get nervous. A few weeks ago I decided to do some online research on mushroom identification. I ordered a couple of books, one of which was Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World.

So why did I order this book? Morbid curiosity, probably. I grew up living a quite sheltered existence, and I knew next to nothing about psychodelic mushrooms. I do know that I don't want to accidentally harvest some, thinking I had some yummy dinner mushrooms instead.

So I ordered the book. And it is a truly fascinating book. This book is written by Paul Stamets, who is apparently a fairly well-known expert in the field of psilocybin mushrooms. He has a literary yet easily comprehensible writing style, which I appreciated as I read the book. According to the "About the Author" section at the back of the book, he has been studying mushrooms for more than twenty years and has co-authored four new psilocybin mushrooms. Paul Stamets also runs a mushroom mail-order business called Fungi Perfecti, which is where I ordered my home grown mushroom starts (that is another epinion!)

Basics About the Book

First, it is very educational and informative. Second, it has some truly awesome photographs.

Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World is divided into ten chapters.

Chapter 1: Psilocybes from a Historical Perspective

This chapter is completely fascinating. It contains a detailed history of psilocybin mushrooms that is easy to read and incredibly interesting. I was disappointed when the chapter ended.

Chapter 2: Global Ecologies and the World Distribution of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms are found throughout the world, and grow on dead plant material. I found it particularly interesting in this chapter to learn that construction and disruption of natual ecosystems encourages mushroom growth near communities, in medium such as landscape bark.

Chapter 3: Targeting Six Classic Habitats

This chapter covers in detail the six major habitats of psilocybin mushrooms.

Chapter 4: The Dangers of Mistaken Identification

This chapter drew me in. Harvesting and eating the wrong mushroom can cause death. While the chapter focuses more on distinguishing between psilocybin mushrooms and deadly ones, I found it to be a good basis toward distinguishing between edible (non-hallucinogenic) mushrooms and the ones that will kill you.

Chapter 5: Good Tips for Great Trips

For the experimental types, this chapter covers proper doses of psilocybin mushrooms, potency, and ritual information. Very interesting reading even for those not interested in trying it out.

Chapter 6: Field Collection Techniques

One of the most helpful inclusions in this chapter for me is a list of essential mushroom hunting supplies, including things such as a knife, wax paper, and identification books, to name but a few items.

Chapter 7: How to Identify Psilocybin Mushrooms

Identification, critical element. A quote from the book, the "Stametsian Rule" is as follows: "If a gilled mushroom has purplish brown to black spores, and the flesh bruises bluish, the mushroom in question is very likely a psilocybin-producing species." Well, that means very little to me as a mushroom novice. However, the chapter goes on to explain and even a novice could identify this type of mushroom after studying the chapter.

Chapter 8: The Major Psilocybin Genera

This chapter is explanatory and educational, describing the Major Genera and contains detailed descriptions of each genus, to include dimensions, microscopic features, and habitat, among other things. It is the longest chapter in the book.

Chapter 9: The Minor Psilocybin Genera

Similar to the preceding chapter, covering the Minor Genera.

Chapter 10: The Deadly Look-Alikes

This chapter covers particular poisonous mushrooms that can be easily mistaken for psilocybins. Bears close reading and studying!

Also included are a glossary, recommended reading and resource list, works cited section, acknowledgements, index, and the about the author section.

My Thoughts

I found this book to be fascinating reading. And, I found it hard to put this book down once I started reading. The descriptions of each mushroom are very detailed, and the accompanying photographs have done a great deal to ease my mind over accidental harvesting of this type of mushroom.

Paul Stamets is an excellent author who has done an excellent job with this book. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in mushrooms of any type; it is educational, informative, and very well written.

I purchased my book online. It can also be purchased at brick-and-mortar bookstores or ordered from them if they don't have it in stock.

Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World is published by Ten Speed Press. The ISBN Number is 0-89815-839-7. Suggested retain price is $24.95.

Recommended: Yes