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The Future is Abundant
A Guide to Sustainable Agriculture

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Uncommon Mushrooms

Mike Maki

The common buttom mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is about the only species now grown commercially in North America. In Asia and Europe, other species are also grown on a large scale, including the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), shiitake (Lentinus edodes), and "velvet ears" (Flammulina velutipes). Other choice edible mushrooms, such as morel and chanterelle, have not been successfully domesticated because their associations require that the host tree be living in the soil.

Harvest and culture of mushrooms for purposes other than food are also becoming popular in the Pacific Northwest. The well-known psychoactive properties of some mushrooms, especially of the genus Psilocybe, have led to research and development of cultural techniques suitable for home production. The literature on mushroom culture, until recently, has been devoted almost exclusively to Agaricus bisporus, although informative and practical guides on culturing other mushrooms are now available.

Mushroom Bibliography

• Chang, S.T., and Hays, W.A., eds. The Biology and Cultivation of Edible Mushrooms. New York: Academic Press, 1978.
  One of the most comprehensive books on mushroom culture. Includes shiitake, oyster mushrooms, and other species with commercial potential.
• McKenny, Margaret, and Stuntz, Daniel E. The Savory Wild Mushroom. Seattle: U of W Press, 1971.
  The most popular guide to wild mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest.
• Stamets, Paul, and Chilton, Jeff. The New Age Mushroom Cultivator. Seattle: Homestead Book Co, in press.
  An up-to-date guide to mushroom growing, with valuable (and much original) cultural information.
• Stamets, Paul. Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Allies. 1979. Homestead Book Co, PO Box 31608, Seattle, WA 98103.
  An excellent study of several related psychoactive species found in the Pacific Northwest. Cultural information is suitable for growing other wild species. Classic in its field.

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