This book is for the most part a stunning photographic album documenting by examples the sheer variety of the approximately 100,000 described and recorded species of fungi (and estimates of the total number including yet undiscovered range from 1.5 to 5 million). The majority of species are recorded in the author's native Denmark and surrounding Scandinavian countries, but there are other countries represented here too to present forms from other climate types, in particular the tropical rain forest of Ecuador and the mountainous Bhutan.
The accompanying text takes second place to the photography in centre stage, but gives an excellent introduction to the layperson of the basics of fungal biology and form, classification (most of the book being divided into subsections of ascomycota and basidiomycota with photographic examples), and fungal ecology. It's a marvellous record of the "endless forms most beautiful" of the rather neglected "fifth kingdom".
The fungi realm has been called the "hidden kingdom," a mysterious world populated by microscopic spores, gigantic mushrooms and toadstools, and a host of other multicellular organisms ranging widely in color, size, and shape. The Kingdom of Fungi provides an intimate look at the world's astonishing variety of fungi species, from cup fungi and lichens to truffles and tooth fungi, clubs and corals, and jelly fungi and puffballs. This beautifully illustrated book features more than 800 stunning color photographs as well as a concise text that describes the biology and ecology of fungi, fungal morphology, where fungi grow, and human interactions with and uses of fungi.
The Kingdom of Fungi is a feast for the senses, and the ideal reference for naturalists, researchers, and anyone interested in fungi. This book features:
- Reveals fungal life as never seen before
- Features more than 800 stunning color photos
- Describes fungal biology, morphology, distribution, and uses
- A must-have reference book for naturalists and researchers
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