A New Guide to Kansas Mushrooms

A Guide to Kansas Mushrooms was first published in 1993 and went out of print in 2017. The new edition, completed by authors Richard Kay, Sherry Kay, Benjamin Sikes, and Caleb Morse, has been revised to account for changes in mycology over the last twenty-five years, including advances in molecular genetics and an expanded list of mushrooms found in Kansas. The book includes updated information, new material, and two cladograms that illustrate how organisms branch off from their last common ancestors. It covers 200 species and introduces readers to fascinating, common slime molds.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: University Press of Kansas

Originally published in 1993, A Guide to Kansas Mushrooms went out of print in 2017. The original author, Richard Kay, suggested that his wife, Sherry Kay, could take on the task of revising the book, collaborating with him as a consultant. After Richard's death in 2018, Sherry later added two coauthors, Benjamin Sikes and Caleb Morse, to complete the task. Kay, Sikes, and Morse have revised this new edition to account for the significant changes in mycology over the past twenty-five years, while maintaining its original purpose as a guide for active mushroomers.

Primarily, A New Guide to Kansas Mushrooms highlights the upheaval in taxonomy caused by advances in molecular genetics. An estimated 25 percent of fungal names included in the original guide have changed since 1993.

Secondly, the list of mushrooms found in Kansas has expanded, and the new edition will add 50 species to the 150 described in the original guide. All anthology entries have been updated to reflect these changes in the field, and the essays have also been edited, reduced, or expanded to include updated information as well as brand-new material.

The outdated genus-level classification of fungi has been replaced by two cladograms—diagrams that illustrate how organisms branch off from their last common ancestors.

This revised edition provides a wealth of new material on Kansas mushrooms that will aid and fascinate both newbies and seasoned mycophiles. It includes information on online resources and notes on how to grow mushrooms in Kansas. While the book fully treats 200 species, readers will be able to identify 320 different macrofungi using the keys and discussions. Additionally, the book introduces readers to fascinating, common slime molds (myxomycetes).

A New Guide to Kansas Mushrooms incorporates a wealth of information and illustrations to enhance the reader's understanding and enjoyment of this fascinating subject. Whether you are a seasoned mushroom hunter or a novice looking to explore the world of fungi, this guide is an essential resource for anyone interested in the natural history and diversity of mushrooms in Kansas.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780700633067