First Kansas Guide
Wild Mushrooms of the Central
Midwest, the first guide to Kansas mushrooms, was written by the late
Ansel Hartley Stubbs and published it 1971. The first two printings
of the book were published by the University Press of Kansas. The
book was well received in Kansas, as Ansel lived in Kansas City and was
acquainted with many of the members of the Kaw Valley Mycological Society.
In 1980 the book was republished
by The Lowell Press of Kansas City under the name Wild Mushrooms Worth
Knowing. The latter name is perhaps more appropriate as the mushrooms
described can be found nearly everywhere in the country.
Although both books are
out of print, there are probably copies still available. The latest
publication contains more than 60 full-color photographs of mushrooms,
with a beautiful picture of Pleurotus ulmarius (now known as Hypsizygus
ulmarius) on the cover taken by longtime KVMS member Felicia Bart.
Included are easily understandable descriptions with black and white drawings
of most of the common mushrooms. There is a full section of recipes
and a handy identification chart.
As newer field guides have
been developed, this book is no longer a "must have" for identification,
but as the earliest field guide for the midwest, it qualifies as a collector's
item for anyone interested in Kansas mushrooms, and a good addition to
your mushroom library.
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